Big Springs FFA launches program to support families, boost ag education

A new volunteer program is bringing agricultural education and community stewardship to the next generation of agriculturists in Thermopolis. 

The Fun Fridays in Agriculture Boot Camp is a brand-new community initiative being spearheaded by the Big Springs FFA Chapter of Thermopolis Middle School with support from several volunteers. The program aims to provide support for the surrounding community and grow awareness of local agriculture through a series of events for elementary students hosted throughout the school year. 

Events will take place once a month, providing a safe, fun and enriching environment for kids to learn about agriculture and enjoy meals aided by contributions from the surrounding community.

Fun Fridays in Agriculture

According to a corresponding press release from the Big Springs FFA Chapter, the school district recently transitioned to a four-day school week, leaving Fridays open and raising challenges related to meals and childcare for some families.

The Fun Fridays in Agriculture Boot Camp will help meet these challenges for groups of 20 to 25 students once a month. 

Each session will include agricultural lessons and hands-on activities, as well as mentorship from Big Springs FFA members. Students will receive breakfast and lunch funded by grants from Farm Credit Services of America, Wyoming Pork Producers Council and the Hot Springs County Education Endowment. 

“Fun Fridays in Agriculture is about more than just fun,” says Big Springs FFA Advisor Becky Martinez. “It’s about giving kids the support they need while connecting them to agriculture and their community. Our middle school FFA members are excited to step into leadership roles as mentors.” 

First event

The first Fun Fridays in Agriculture event of the school year took place on Sept. 5. 

The day focused on the process of producing crops from seed to harvest and featured a field trip and comments from Kent Hessenthaler, a local sweet corn producer and former Hot Springs County High School math teacher.

Hessenthaler began his presentation by showing students a variety of seeds and explaining their different traits. Then, students had the opportunity to observe sweet corn and alfalfa plots up close to learn about farming in a hands-on environment. 

Throughout the event, Hessenthaler answered a variety of questions about growing crops and combatting challenges posed by deer and other wildlife. Students were also given the opportunity to taste fresh sweet corn straight from the stalk.

Volunteer opportunities

Big Springs FFA is actively searching for adult volunteers from the surrounding area to help support the Fun Fridays in Agriculture Boot Camp program. 

There are plenty of ways to get involved, including assisting with activities, preparing meals and providing extra hands to help out during events.

In addition to general volunteers, the chapter is seeking local agriculture producers willing to host field trips, provide tours or share other expertise with the next generation of agriculturists. 

As noted in the press release, these volunteer partnerships will help grow community and give local students a real-world look at how food is grown, raised and produced right at home in Hot Springs County.

“The Fun Fridays in Agriculture Boot Camp represents the heart of what the National FFA Organization is all about – leadership, service and agricultural education,” Martinez says. “By investing in kids now, we’re helping grow the next generation of leaders.”

Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.