The FFA Chapter has had an extremely busy week. The New Ulm FFA Chapter hosted the annual National FFA Week Feb. 18-21. The week involved significant traditions at New Ulm High School. Tuesday was cut out of the week due to coldness, Wednesday was the beginning of the toy tractor contest, Thursday was the well-known pancake breakfast, and Friday was tractor voting, peanut day, and the Staff Pie Social. The entire week also held an emblem hunt. FFA members worked extra hard around the weather to ensure the week was set right!
National FFA week brings both FFA members and Students together across the nation, celebrating the organization’s impact and role in developing future leaders in agriculture. It is a time of reflection as FFA members and communities honor the organization through multiple traditions.
“It has been a really fun week, but shortened. Our FFA Chapter participates in traditional activities that we have been doing since before I was even in High School. I loved seeing our officers and members connect with everyone in our community,” said Chapter Advisor Ms. Covington.
After no school on Tuesday and a 2-hour late start on Wednesday, the week was scrambled. Due to the bitter coldness, it led to a complete set back on the FFA week. FFA Officer Zelli Kamm gave an insight into how the weather affected the week.
“The weather was a real problem. Unfortunately, we had to postpone our pancake breakfast from Wednesday, Feb 19, to Thursday, Feb 20. This was really unusual for us to move our pancake breakfast, but we knew we needed it in our week. The weather really got to us, but like always, we made it work.”
6:30 a.m. is early, but not early enough for the New Ulm FFA members. Early Thursday morning, members were up early preparing for the annual FFA Farm City Hub Club Pancake Breakfast. The breakfast is a free-will donation and is open to the public. This tradition goes way back further than many can remember.
“It is fun to untie the community, with everyone coming in for the pancake breakfast. It was really good to connect with familiar faces,” said Ms. Covington.
The Pancake Breakfast had an extremely good turnout, including New Ulm School students, Staff members, FFA members, and community members.
Throughout the week, the annual toy tractor contest rolled on. Members brought in toy tractors, where they were put into categories where they best fit. Adam Mages and Tucker Berg created a Google form with images of each tractor within the contest. This form was sent out to all Ag classes on Friday, voting for the best toy tractors. Winners were able to pick from a few tractors as a prize.
According to Ms. Covington, “A ton of kids participated in the toy tractor contest, I just know they are all on the edge of their seats, waiting to see who has the best tractor.”
Friday ended with Peanut Day and the Staff Pie Social. All Ag classes at New Ulm High School learned where peanuts are grown and what peanuts are most used in, and participated in a small competition for the largest peanut. While students had a blast, Staff members did too. The FFA Chapter puts on a pie social for New Ulm High School Staff members.
FFA Week is a week full of tradition, celebration, and fun. New Ulm FFA members included all of its fun-filled traditions even in the limited time. FFA members and officers are thrilled about next year’s traditions!
