Groton students gain inspiration and knowledge at national FFA convention

The 97th National FFA (Future Farmers of America) Convention & Expo took place in Indianapolis, Indiana in October, and Groton Jr./Sr. High School’s (GHS) FFA advisor and agriculture educator, Chelsey Mahany, accompanied three of Groton’s FFA members, who were among the 71,096 students who attended.

De’Anna Mackey, Kara Pierce and Eve Shaff are all sophomores at GHS, as well as enthusiastic and engaged members of the Groton FFA. At the Nov. 18 meeting of the Groton Central School District Board of Education, Pierce and Shaff

gave a presentation on the trip, which involved not only the four-day convention, but also stops along the way that added even more rich experiences to the girls’ trip. (Mackey was unable to attend the meeting.)  

As they began their journey, their first stop was the Corning Museum of Glass, followed by Burch Farms Country Market in North East, Pennsylvania. Burch Farms has been family operated since 1779. There, the girls learned that technology has progressed to harvest grapes with a machine, yet apples are still picked by hand due to the complexity of the machine that would be required.

A tour of the Lincoln Electric facility in Cleveland, Ohio gave the girls hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology, as they learned how to weld using virtual reality welding simulators. Next, they visited St. Joe’s Christmas Tree Farm in Fort Wayne, Indiana, learning about sustainable practices in tree farming.

Their third travel day involved a tour of the New Paris Equine Center in New Paris, Indiana, and a visit to Fair Oaks Farm in Fair Oaks, Indiana — one of the most advanced and sustainable dairy farms in the country, which produces Fairlife milk, known for its high protein and low sugar content.

“They even use recycled manure for fuel in their farm vehicles!” Pierce said.

Pierce is enrolled in the Early College High School (ECHS) program at GHS. She plays volleyball and is a member of Spanish club and drama club. Pierce said that she joined FFA because she was looking for a new club to join, but primarily because of her appreciation of Mahany, the advisorMahany.

Similarly, Shaff is also in ECHS, Spanish club and drama club. She said that she joined FFA because she wanted to broaden her horizons.

“What I enjoy most about FFA is all the opportunities to meet new people,” Shaff said. “It is essentially a community, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Mackey said she joined FFA in seventh grade, hoping to experience something new. Mackey also plays basketball and is involved in drama club, chorus and Spanish club. Her plan after high school has been to pursue psychology or nursing, but she said that FFA has inspired her to consider plant science and horticulture.

“I wanted to learn new things and get to see how certain things might work, and I’m very glad I did,” Mackey said. “What I enjoy most is the competitions and conventions. I learn new things and meet new people, plus I love having Mrs. Mahany there with me. I wouldn’t know all the stuff I know now if it wasn’t for her.”

The four-day convention was packed with activities too numerous to list, but those interested can visit the website at Schedule – 97th National FFA Convention & Expo or the Groton FFA Facebook page: Groton Jr Sr High Agriculture & FFA.

“I thought the national convention was a great learning experience,” Mackey said. “We listened to the speakers give very impactful speeches, met many new people who I have grown to be friends with and got to experience all different types of things on tours, at sessions and during workshops. Overall, I think the convention was great, and I would love to go again!” 

“My impression of national convention was that no matter who you are, you can always find someone that relates to you, and you can become closer to people you’d never think to talk to or get to know,” Pierce said. “You can create lifelong friendships with people who want you to succeed and help you succeed. I think my most impactful takeaway from convention is that so many people, different in so many ways, can come together and make great things happen and accomplish many things.”

“My impression of the convention was how everyone was able to come together in a family-like way to achieve goals,” Shaff said. “Even though everyone there was so unique, we all had a like mindset. My most impactful takeaway from it was how I’m not alone and that there’s many people out there like me,” she added. “After high school, I plan to become a psychologist. Even though FFA isn’t really related to psychology, it helps develop many personal traits that are going to be useful in the workforce. It gives me a taste of how the world works and helps me become more independent.”

As a whole, these three girls are grateful for the new friends they made, the unforgettable memories, the opportunities to become better agriculturists and leaders and the ways the convention has empowered them to take what they learned back to the community and continue making a difference.

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:

Annual tree lighting

The Groton Fire Department is proud to present the annual tree-lighting ceremony, which will take place at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29 at this year’s new location: Main Street at the Speedway lot. All are invited to come and see Santa and Mrs. Claus light the Christmas tree, accompanied by food, drinks and music!

Groton Holiday Tour

The Groton Community and Business Association is delighted to announce the second Groton Holiday Tour, from 2 to 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14. There will be four village homes, one outside light show, the Benn Conger Inn, the Groton Public Library and the Groton Community Church — all decked out in their finest. Tickets are $10 for adults. Ages 12 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased in advance at https://holidayhousetour.ticketleap.com or on the day of the event at the Benn Conger. For more details on this and other holiday events, see next week’s column!

Dog census

Last call for the dog census! Everyone within the town or village of Groton, whether or not they own a dog, is required to complete the survey. Complete it online at townofgrotonny.org no later than Nov. 30. For questions or to complete the census by phone, call Robin or Denise at the Groton Town Clerk’s office at 607-898-5035.