Groton’s Future Farmers of America at the New York State Fair

At Groton Jr./Sr. High School (GHS), agriculture education and its Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter have been flourishing and growing since the FFA was rekindled in August 2019. Since the school’s current agriculture educator, Chelsey Mahany, stepped into the role in fall 2022, that growth has been tremendous!

Among the many things the FFA chapter has undertaken was the participation of five of the FFA officers last month in the New York State Fair. In addition to their participation in FFA, all five are enrolled in GHS’s early college high school program. They also play numerous sports, and some are active 4-H members.

Jillian Zigenfus (president), Stella Holl (vice-president) and Adelyn (Addie) Clore (student advisor) each competed in the fair’s Dairy Handlers competition. Clore and Zigenfus are both GHS seniors; Holl is a junior.

Clore, Holl and Zigenfus have been raising and showing cows for 4-H for a number of years, and they enjoyed showcasing their skills in the ring in the Dairy Handlers category. Clore placed sixth in the state!

“I love being involved in FFA, sports and 4-H because they each give me different ways to grow,” Zigenfus said. “Competing in the State Fair Dairy Handlers contest was definitely a highlight! It was fun, competitive and made me proud of all the effort I’ve put in.” 

Kara Pierce (treasurer) and Eve Shaff (historian), both GHS juniors, comprised the chapter’s first-ever team to compete in the Wildlife ID competition. Both said they spent hours studying wildlife identification and learned a lot.

“It was the first time Groton has ever participated in this event,” Mahany said. “[Pierce and Shaff] put their knowledge of New York state wildlife to the test and did an amazing job showcasing their skills.”

FFA’s awards and achievements

In addition to Clore’s award, Mahany said the chapter received second place from PLANT CNY for its Cottage Theme display in the Horticulture Building, as well as a blue ribbon, and second place for its Safety-First display in the education category in the FFA tent.  

Collectively, the five girls said that FFA means community and giving back while learning leadership skills, and they were quick to give kudos to Mahany for helping them set up the safety display for the FFA tent, as well as the horticulture display.

“We also received a Grant for Growing from Tractor Supply in order to purchase youth and adult size mannequins for CPR [cardio pulmonary resuscitation] and first aid training for our ag students,” Mahany said. “This will allow them to partner with the Groton Fire Department to complete BLS [basic life support] training and be more ready to help with rural emergencies.”

This year, Groton FFA was awarded a fall semester Living to Serve grant, which will enable the chapter to support area first responders by providing them with the training and equipment to do grain bin rescue and extrication.

Living to Serve grants provide an opportunity for FFA chapters and state FFA associations or foundations to seek funding to support various types of service projects through a competitive application process. Applicants must identify a community need that falls within one of four focus areas: community safety; hunger, health and nutrition; environmental responsibility; or community engagement.

For more information on grain bin rescue and safety, visit the Groton Jr./Sr. High Agriculture & FFA Facebook page to watch an informative video.

And a highest-ranking national award!

Mahany also explained that the chapter recently received a 3-Star Gold National Chapter Award for her efforts with National Quality Chapter Standards (NQCS) and Program of Activities (POA).

The National Chapter Award Program is designed to recognize FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. These chapters improve operations using the NQCS and a POA that emphasizes growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership.

“I am incredibly proud of our FFA members and the outstanding work they continue to do within our program,” Mahany said. “Their commitment to leadership, service and hands-on learning not only strengthens our chapter but also makes a positive impact on our school and community. Their achievements reflect the dedication and spirit that make agricultural education such a powerful experience.”

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:

Groton school taxes 

Homeowners in the town of Groton will have received their Groton school tax bill by mail. If paying by mail, send payment to Groton Central School District, c/o TST BOCES, 555 Warren Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850.

All in-person payments must be made at the Groton office of the First National Bank of Groton during regular banking hours. Pay with no penalty by October 1. A 2% penalty will be added for payments made thereafter through November 3. No in-person payments will be accepted at either the Groton Central School offices or TST BOCES. Taxes not paid by November 3 must be returned to the county treasurer for collection.

Lego time!

Groton Public Library, which has numerous boxes of Legos, is hosting an opportunity for the community to come in and build with them on the first Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. For more information, contact director@grotonpubliclibrary.org or call 607-898-5055.

Groton Community Cupboard: Plan ahead for closure

The Groton Community Cupboard will be closed Monday Oct. 13 in observance of Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day. No delivery will arrive that day. It will be open on all other usual days and times.