Mid-Prairie FFA visits Des Moines

DES MOINES — Twelve Mid-Prairie FFA members converged on the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines to build character and promote citizenship, volunteerism, and patriotism last week. They joined more than 600 high school students wearing blue corduroy from 100 schools who visited the Iowa State Capitol Building in Des Moines Feb. 1.

The students visited with legislators, exhibited skills learned in the agriculture classroom and learned the importance of citizenship. The trip was all part of the 37th Annual Iowa FFA Legislative Symposium and FFA Day at the Capitol.

During the morning, FFA members gathered at the Downtown Embassy Suites and heard from Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig about the importance of agriculture in Iowa and abroad. Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President, Brent Johnson, then delivered a message about the importance young agriculturalists can play in the agriculture industry. Elizabeth Burns Thompson, from Navigator CO2, then spoke about the importance of advocating for the agricultural industry.

The morning program culminated with FFA members hearing a brief message from Gov. Kim Reynolds, who then presented and signed the FFA Week Proclamation. The proclamation officially declares Feb. 19-26, the week of President George Washington's Birthday, FFA Week in Iowa.

In the afternoon, Mid-Prairie FFA members visited the Iowa State Capitol Building and were able to spend time speaking with Iowa State Sen. Kevin Kinney about how to contact their legislators and learning more about the legislative process.

Mid-Prairie FFA members who attended were Bridget Fisher, Anna Nafziger, Payton Peck, Carmen Sieren, Zane Fisher, Carly Nickell, Blake Peck, Annie Morrison, Brittany Kinsinger, Peighton Ford, Alexa Huber and Rebekah Meader. Chaperoning the trip were Mid-Prairie FFA adviser Elsa Schmidt and Student Teacher Bridget Buol.