Northwest Iowa — Each year, FFA chapters around northwest Iowa and around the country celebrate National FFA Week. The national FFA organization tells us it’s a time to share what FFA is and the impact it has on members every day.
We had a chance to visit with FFA Advisor Molly Bomgaars, who is in her fourth year of teaching, but her first year at MOC/Floyd Valley Community Schools in Orange City. She tells us what MOC/Floyd Valley students are doing for National FFA Week.
AUDIO: “Monday we had tractor day, so students drove their tractors to school. Tuesday we did a teacher appreciation breakfast. And then we also dressed as farmers. And then today (Wednesday) was our USA day, so students wore red, white, and blue. Tomorrow (Thursday) we have camo day as our dress-up day, and then we have sub-district contest tomorrow night at Western Christian. We have about 25 students headed to Western Christian to compete tomorrow night. And then Friday we finish off the week with blue and gold day.”
She tells us they try to promote the values of the FFA motto, which is, “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.”
At Sheldon High School, FFA Advisor Gene Bomgaars tells us when they celebrate FFA Week, they begin their FFA Staff Quiz Bowl on Monday. He says five questions are asked each day of the teaching staff, for them to answer concerning Sheldon’s Ag Program and FFA Chapter. On Tuesday, he says they have Boots Day & American Day. Wednesday is Hawaiian Shirt Waikiki Wednesday. On Thursday they have FFA Hat/Shirt/Attire day, and when they celebrate FFA week, that Friday they have a Staff Breakfast in the Ag Room, plus it’s Tractor & Truck Day. That means students and staff drive tractors and trucks to school for the day.
Iowa has more than 15,700 FFA members in 246 chapters statewide. The statewide FFA leadership conference will be held in April in Ames, while the national convention will be held this fall in Indianapolis.
