FFA looks to enhance education

The Future Farmers of America Pine Bluffs Chapter is in the search for town land to start an educational facility to house animals.

FFA Advisor Brian Cox, along with two FFA members, approached the Pine Bluffs Town Council Feb. 18 in search for useable land. Cox said the land would help enhance the educational value of the FFA chapter.

“This school farm would be used for students who live in town that don’t have any land outside of town that would like to have an animal project to show later into the school year,” said FFA member Morgan Cline who wants to use the future facility to raise pigs.

Cline said, being from Houston, Texas, she never had the opportunity to raise pigs. A facility for her to raise pigs within the town limits would open up opportunities for Cline.

“It would benefit my future because I plan on going to college for farm business management,” she said.

Cox said FFA is comprised of three learning circles, the classroom, Supervised Agriculture Experience Project (SAE) and the FFA. Cox said a farm-like area in town would help enhance the SAE part of education for students in FFA.

“Our FFA chapter is very strong in town kids who do not have the opportunity (to raise animals),” he said. “Morgan would love to show, but she has no place to keep animals, and this would be an excellent way to provide that SAE for Morgan.”

Cox asked the town council to look into leasing land across from Gross’s Feed Lot, where a former school farm used to reside.

The Pine Bluffs Town Council did not take formal action, but agreed to look into leasing the land to the school.

Cox said, once land is secured and school board approval comes through, he is looking at setting up two portable buildings, pens and wind breaks to facilitate student projects. Cox said the facility would also be open to 4-H members.