Groton Farmer Challenge/Agriculture Trivia Night benefits Future Farmers of America

In February 2020, more than 140 farmers and friends of Groton Jr./Sr. High School’s Future Farmers of America (GHS FFA) gathered at Stonehedges Golf Course for the first-ever Groton Farmer Challenge Agriculture Trivia Night & Silent Auction, sponsored by the Groton Agricultural Advisory Board (GAAB) to benefit the Groton FFA.

What started then as a spark of an idea for a fundraiser that would bring the community together while also supporting the FFA turned into an evening packed with fun, great food and good-spirited competition — both for the trivia teams and for those bidding on donated auction baskets and prizes.

The event was such a huge success that everyone involved could hardly wait to start planning for the next year — and then the COVID-19 pandemic hit! February 2021 went by, as did February 2022, but in October of 2022, the GAAB was finally able to hold another event to get everything back on track.

Just prior to that, when the academic year began in September, GHS’s brand-new agriculture educator and advisor to the FFA chapter, Chelsey Mahany, said she “wakes up every morning ready to teach the next generation of future agriculturists,” and that her plans for her students were not merely hopes and dreams, but goals. Since then, Mahany has seen a plethora of those hopes and dreams come true — both in academics and through the opportunities her FFA students have pursued, in large part due to the generosity of the GAAB.

The Groton Farmer Challenge/Agriculture Trivia Night lives on!

Eventually, the Ag Trivia Night gravitated back to the early spring, with Stonehedges as its consistent venue, with delicious food catered by Groton’s own Dick Brecht of the Groton Red Caboose and the generosity of those donating auction items.

This year, the event was held in mid-March with 120 people in attendance, resulting in $4,500 raised from ticket sales, silent auction donations and other generous donations from community members and businesses.

Some examples of FFA activities that might be funded are leadership training, attendance at the annual New York state and national FFA conferences and the purchase of the signature FFA blue corduroy jackets for incoming FFA members.

“As always, I am just so thankful for the amazing turnout, all of the generous donations and the opportunity for the community to come together for some great laughs, fun facts and to support students going to Camp Oswegatchie, National Convention, State Convention, community service projects and so much more,” Mahany said. 

Who are the Groton FFA officers?

Along with building and strengthening their chapter through meetings and activities, holding their own fundraisers and assisting with the Ag Trivia Night, the Groton FFA has built its membership to a point where it boasts the following roster of officers.

Chapter President Jillian Zigenfus is a junior. She is active in Eastern Valley 4-H; plays soccer, basketball and softball; and is on Class Council and National Honor Society.

Chapter Vice President Stella Holl is a junior and is in charge of several committees. She is a star athlete and a great team player for all things FFA.

Chapter Secretary Grace Short is also a junior. She has been the secretary for several years and is known for going above and beyond for the chapter.

Chapter Historian Eve Shaff is a sophomore who participates regularly in FFA and FFA events. She also plays several sports.

Chapter Treasurer Kara Pierce is a sophomore who has been very active in FFA, as well as varsity volleyball, Spanish club, drama club stage crew and community activities.

Chapter Sentinel Michael Brehm is a senior who has been extremely active in FFA. He is also a varsity athlete in football and bowling and is in the Early College High School program and Upward Bound.

Chapter Reporter De’Anna Mackey is a sophomore who goes above and beyond for the chapter and is always willing to help out. She participates in chorus, Spanish club and basketball.

Chapter Junior Advisor Adelyn Clore is a junior. She also goes above and beyond for the chapter and is involved in Eastern Valley 4-H, Dairy Promotions, National Jersey Association, Class Council and National Honor Society. She also plays soccer, basketball and track.

The Groton FFA will hold its second annual awards banquet next month, so stay tuned here for more on that later in May!

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at 607-227-4922. 

In brief:

National Day of Prayer

The National Day of Prayer (NDOP) was established by federal law in 1952. The law was amended in 1988, specifically designating the first Thursday in May as the official National Day of Prayer. This year, May 1 will mark the 73rd annual NDOP. 

In Groton, midday prayer will be held from noon to 1 p.m. at the Terrence Graves Memorial on Main Street. An evening prayer meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. at Groton Assembly of God, 701 S. Main St.

Outstanding CTE students

Congratulations to the following Groton students who were recognized as outstanding students of the month for March at the Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES Career and Technical Education Center: Madison DeGraw, Welding; Kayleb Noble, Auto Technology; Kyle Sinn, World of Work Food Service.

The outstanding students are chosen based on their character, leadership, citizenship, work ethic and attendance. They must also be compassionate, honest, trustworthy, responsible and positive role models.

Kindergarten registration

Groton Elementary School is preparing for next year’s kindergarten class. If you have a child who is eligible to enter school in September 2025, please call 607-898-5853 to register him or her. A child must have been born on or before Dec. 1, 2020 to be eligible to begin school this September.