Local school readies for national FFA Week

The planning meeting brought the high school and middle school FFA members together to discuss local events. These students are taking notes and discussing committee responsibilities for FFA Week. [Ramon Rios\SRPG]

PACE — Mitch Lambeth could not help but smile as he announced the dates, Feb. 16 – 23, for the 2019 National Future Farmers of America Week, one of his favorite times of the year. Lambeth is a physical education teacher and high school advisor for the FFA chapter at LEAD Academy.

At the Pace school on Woodbine Road, most of the 42-member FFA team and some of the high school FFA members were packed into a long room reviewing a plan of events for FFA Week. Taylor Alverez, middle school FFA president, at the marker board and Hannah Cooley, high school FFA president, seated, taking notes, ran the meeting. It's quick, to the point and assignments are given and acknowledged to avoid confusion with responsibilities.

"We teach [students] to advocate for themselves," Karen Barnes said, a sixth grade teacher. This will be her first year as an FFA advisor to the middle school grades. Barnes has the background. She was an FFA member in high school and college. Barnes also has a Bachelor's of Science in animal science, from the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

According to the National FFA website, the National FFA Board of Directors designated the week-long tradition in 1948 in recognition of Washington’s legacy as an agriculturist and farmer. A group of young farmers founded FFA in 1928, teaching generations that agriculture is more than planting and harvesting — it involves science, business and more. The organization’s mission is to prepare future generations for the challenges of feeding a growing population.

"We have enough members to start two chapters," Lambeth said. LEAD's FFA program has 105 combined members counting middle and high school students.

Lambeth says he is living out his dreams as far as FFA is concerned. Lambeth received the go-ahead from LEAD Academy founder H. Frank Lay to create an agricultural program on the 30-acre Joppa Road site.

Here is the schedule for local FFA Week events.

  • Friday Feb. 15 – Students meet and paint Graffiti Bridge in Pensacola for FFA Week
  • Sunday Feb. 17 – Members speak at their church about FFA Week
  • Monday Feb. 18 – Opening and closing ceremonies
  • Tuesday Feb. 19 – Faculty/staff breakfast at all campuses
  • Wednesday Feb. 20 – Pizza for upper school
  • Thursday Feb. 21 – Bonfire at the Joppa Road site from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
  • Friday Feb. 22 – Farm animals visit both campuses

For more information, contact LEAD at 995-1900.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Local school readies for national FFA Week