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Washington Evening Journal
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Mt. Pleasant FFA celebrates test plot success
Chapter thanks many generous supporters
MT. PLEASANT — Over a year after it’s conception, the Mt. Pleasant FFA and high school agriculture classes celebrate the success of their inaugural test plot made possible through many generous donations.
Chapter members Chase VanBibber Cohen Aplara, and Dakota Lange began efforts to establish a test plot for Mt. Pleasant Community High School Agricultural classes and the Mt. Pleasant FFA Chapter to establish their first student led farming operation in September 2022.
“The initial steps were to contact local businesses about possible interest, advice, and contributions,” VanBibber shared.
The group then met with the AG Task Force, MPCSD Building and Grounds Committee and the school board.
Initially they hoped to repurpose 20 acres of native prairie grass located on the school grounds for the test plot, however, their bid was not successful.
Their efforts did not end with this setback, though, and they established the first test plot for the programs on four acres of land adjacent to Wellspring Evangelical Free Church located straight southwest of the high school.
“The land was gifted to us courtesy of Randy Seeberg and Wellspring Evangelical Free Church,” VanBibber said.
With secured land, the program broke ground and began tillage on April 12, 2023, approximately seven months after starting this journey.
“The land received a pass from a field cultivator to break up the soil and bury the soybean organic matter,” VanBibber explained. “A pass with a vertical tiller then followed to smooth and level the seed bed.”
In consideration of the land’s previous use for soybeans, the group decided to plant corn for their first season and completed planting that May.
Students then harvested their four acres of land Oct. 21 thanks to the generous contributions of donations, support, and advice from their community.
In addition to land, the program received donations of anhydrous ammonia, chemicals, and fertilizer from Chem Gro Inc. and Bernie Holtkamp, Kruger Seed Corn from Smith Seeds and Rick Smith, diesel fuel from Jet Gas and Nadine Meierotto, Tractor, field cultivator, and trucking usage from Meierotto Farms and Wayne Meierotto, combine and corn head usage from Bailey Farms and Jacob Bailey, and tractor, planter, and vertical tiller usage from VanBibber Farms and Darrin VanBibber.
Their first harvest, despite an abnormally dry year, yielded 196 bushels per acre, or 786 bushels total, which gave a total revenue of $3,448.70 at $4.39 per bushel.
“The total revenue of the harvest is put into an account to build up the financial standing of the test plot so one day we don't have to ask for donations and can pay for it ourselves,” VanBibber said.
The Mt. Pleasant FFA program and MPCSD Agricultural classes would like to thank all those that made this success possible.
“Had it not been for your support, advice, and generous donations we would not have been able to accomplish our goals,” VanBibber wrote in a letter about the project. “Our hope is to expand this endeavor with additional acres for Mt. Pleasant FFA members and ag classes in the future.”
They remain excited about the possibility of expanding in 2024 to provide more hands-on learning for students.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
