Local FFA displays growth at Groton Olde Home Days

Groton High School’s (GHS) chapter of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) was officially chartered in August 2019, and the 28 members who were a part of it then hit the ground running with their contribution to Groton Olde Home Days (GOHD) that year by selling ears of fire-roasted corn.

Since then, the FFA has stepped up its game at GOHD, increasing its offerings to include many more food items served, along with a tractor show by its members as well as members of the Groton Agriculture Advisory Committee (GAAC), which is made up of local farmers and others with interest in agriculture.

On Aug. 27 at this year’s GOHD, the FFA food tent on Conger Boulevard was a popular lunchtime destination. I was among those enjoying how fresh and delicious everything was, and I was also able to hear from some of the FFA members about how much the program means to them.

Addie Clore, Rachel Houston and Jill Zigenfus were busy taking food orders but were able to take a bit of time to chat.

Houston has been milking cows and feeding calves at Marlindale Farms since she was 8 years old because it belongs to her father, Marlin (PJ) Houston Jr.

Rachel said she joined FFA to learn more about agriculture than she had been exposed to on the farm, and she has definitely had that desire met.

“FFA has helped me explore more of the business side of agriculture and how important it is to teach it in schools,” Rachel said. “Not enough people are educated about it. Ag in schools will teach more kids that farming is more than just cows and animals — it’s about growing crops and feeding people and how that affects the community.”

Clore also grew up helping with cows on Groton’s Millbrook Farms because her mom, Callan Space, and her dad, Jason Clore, help oversee the farm alongside Callan’s parents, Ivy and Ron Space Jr.

“I have a deep passion for FFA and agriculture in general,” Addie said. “Being a part of FFA has been a great leadership opportunity and has opened the doors to a lot of ag clubs and experiences.”

Zigenfus said she has always had a deep passion for agriculture, animals and farming. Her family used to own cows and pigs and she said that gave her a passion for animals and wanting to do more with them.

“I asked Addie to help me show a cow at the Cortland County Fair,” Zigenfus said. “We didn’t have cows at home anymore, so I thought it would be a good experience for me.”

It turned out to be a great experience for Zigenfus, and she is excited about the future of the things they will do in FFA.

“I think FFA is really going to open up with our new advisor this year,” Zigenfus said. “I am hoping we can have a calf right at school and then open it up to ag classes in the STEAM lab so others can learn about cows too.”

Addie also spoke about her excitement for Chelsea Mahaney, who will be the new agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at GHS this fall.

“I learned a lot about dedication in FFA,” Addie said. “We were missing an advisor last year, but Mr. [Will] Lamorie stepped in and did a great job. Now, we are looking forward to having our new advisor and moving forward.”

Addie added that the Agriculture Advisory Committee spearheads the pumpkin sale each year.

“Marlindale and Millbrook farms host the pumpkin crop, and all the FFA members harvest them together and place them in stands around town to be sold,” she said.

Zigenfus said that her farm’s plant sale this year was the first one held in the spring.

“We grew them from seed in cups and then sold them at a farmer’s market just asking for donations, but we raised a little over $400,” she said.

Fundraising is crucial for the FFA because it helps to provide supplies the students need but also helps subsidize attendance at FFA Camp Oswegatchie in Lewis County and the annual FFA convention.

There to support FFA at GOHD was Ed Scheffler, who owns and operates Scheffler Farms with his wife, Eileen, and was in the FFA as a junior member in seventh grade.

“My brothers, Raymond and Donald, were both in it,” Ed said. “And our uncle, Harold Scheffler, was the advisor back then.”

The GHS chapter of FFA was an integral part of the school’s culture, dating back to the 1950s, but when Harold Scheffler retired in 1972, the FFA in Groton essentially retired along with him. Later, Groton farm owner Dan Carey, of Carey Farm on Lick Street, who is the chairman of the Agriculture Advisory Committee, was instrumental in spearheading the reformation of the current FFA in Groton.

“We learned to weld and take a tractor apart and all about dairy, beef and crop farming, how to keep records and calibrate farming machines,” he said.

Carl Scheffler, Ed’s cousin, was a member of the FFA from 1967 to 1971 and has fond memories of his own, especially of Camp Oswegatchie, where he became a counselor for three years after high school.

Ed interjected to say, “If you ever want to restore your faith in the youth of America, just go to an FFA convention!”

“We had mostly boys in the club back then,” Carl said. “They were just starting to admit girls. I was the sentinel during official meetings and worked on the FFA farm in the summers doing hay that we sold for FFA — lots of teamwork and learned a lot of practical skills.”

Carl said that he joined FFA because he wanted to take agriculture class but was not able to because it conflicted with the classes he had to take to graduate. How fortunate our students are today to be able to choose that course of study in the GHS STEAM Center!

Jackie Baxendell, who owns Windsong Stables and Farm and is a former GHS science teacher, was also helping out at the FFA food tent. She was invited to join the GAAC when she retired last year.

“I’m here to help support the kids, FFA and the whole Groton ag program,” Baxendell said. “I want to see it continue to grow and I am very optimistic about FFA’s future. This is a strong group of kids, and the new advisor is bringing a lot of positive energy!”

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 Food Pantry changes 

Beginning Sept. 13, the Groton Food Pantry will change its hours to 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. every Monday. For those who may have schedule conflicts, message Pantry Coordinator Jessamine Stone via Facebook, tinyurl.com/2l69dp8s.

The food pantry is also collecting bottles and cans on site, 701 S. Main St., on an ongoing basis and would appreciate any and all donations. Money collected from these bottle returns helps to purchase more food for those who patronize the pantry.

Happening at the library  

The Groton Public Library (GPL) has another great lineup of offerings for community members of all ages in the month of September.

Happy Meals, Happy Families free cooking classes will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday from Sept. 13 through Oct. 18. Parents and their children can prepare and share a meal with provided ingredients, cookware and child-safe utensils. Classes will be taught by Tina Snyder, community nutrition educator from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County.

Register for one or all of these classes either through GPL Director Sara Knobel at director@grotonpubliclibrary.org or through Snyder at tmf8@cornell.edu.

GPL Story Time will present “Talk Like a Pirate” from 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 15 with popular storyteller Pat Berry.

Learn spinning techniques from instructor Brenda Dietrich at Fluff to Stuff class at GPL from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 22.

Groton Caboose news
Sadly, the Groton Caboose will be closing for the season early this year. Its last day of operation will be Labor Day, which is Sept. 5.