FAIRFIELD – Fairfield High School FFA put its culinary skills to the test Friday morning, Feb. 23, serving a hot breakfast to fellow students, staff and supporters.

The breakfast is an opportunity for the FFA club to thank the community for its support throughout the year. FFA Advisor Ashlynn Jones said that, though the intention of the breakfast is not principally a fundraiser, the club puts out a donation jar because many people want to contribute.

“We are very fortunate to have a community that constantly gives to us and wants to give in any way possible,” Jones said. “The breakfast is a prime example. We don't ask for donations, but from community requests, we have put out a donation jar to provide a place for the community to give their support.”

A group of seven FFA members planned the breakfast by securing donated items or purchasing materials from local businesses. FFA President Briana Steele and Vice President Maddi Woodburn were a few of the FFA members who helped organize the breakfast, which they said would not have been possible without the generous donations of community members.

“We got the sausage donated from Hy-Vee,” Steele said, “and Porter Farms donated the bacon. We appreciate that support.”

Woodburn said the club members used their funds to purchase pancake batter, milk and juice.

“We got here at 5:30 this morning to make pancakes,” Woodburn said.

Getting up early is no problem for either Woodburn or Steele since they’re both farm girls who have early-morning farm chores. They both show animals at the county fair, with Steele showing cattle and Woodburn showing cattle and sheep.

Fairfield FFA experienced a first this year when it secured a spot at state in the FFA’s soil judging competition. It was the first time a Fairfield FFA soil judging team had made it to state, and in their very first appearance, the team won. That means the soil judging team will advance to the national competition in April. The contest gauges students’ ability to judge whether soil is suitable for farming or building based on its color, texture and other factors.

Steele and Woodburn have been in their respective offices with FFA for two years. They both learned a lot through the program, and Steele said she plans to continue her focus on agriculture after high school. She’s going to study elementary education with a minor in agronomy at Iowa State, so she can teach while also helping on the farm. Woodburn said she’s planning to go a different route, majoring in radiology at Indian Hills Community College.

The club’s advisor, Jones, is in her first year at the school, where she also teaches agricultural classes. She said she appreciates the senior leaders in the chapter stepping up to lead the younger members.

“We are very fortunate as a group to have multiple students, 9th-12th, who are passionate and want to be involved in the FFA chapter's activities,” Jones said. “There have been times when senior leadership from members like Briana Steele and Maddi Woodburn has encouraged the younger members to take on larger roles within the chapter.”