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By Mary Perham
The Courier
JASPER – Jasper-Troupsburg Junior Leann Green lives in the country and wants to be a large animal vet. Her classmate, Brittany Trumbul grew up on a farm and is a future ob/gyn physician.
Both teenagers are leaders in the school’s FFA – and credit the national organization for giving them the skills they’ll need for their careers and adult lives.
There was a time when FFA – then Future Farmers of America – had chapters in every school in rural, agriculturally based Steuben County. There are now two chapters, in J-T and Prattsburgh Central School, and the organization is now officially known by its initials only.
But in an area – and an industry – hard hit by the economy, future farmers may be scarcer on the ground than in years past. Future agriculture-related businesses are growing.
“We teach more than farming,” said FFA Advisor Phil Marsh, the school Agriculture/Technology teacher. “It’s about agri-business, too.”
Marsh said one out of 100 Americans are farmers. Nearly 20 percent of all Americans are involved in agricultural industries, he said.
Leann likes the FFA’s focus on leadership and joined because her friends did. She is now president of the school’s chapter.
The chapter also tangles with current environmental issues, with the J-T group researching and presenting debates on the Marcellus Shale and wind farms.
And oh yeah, the 50-member J-T FFA also knows how to have fun and purpose – ATV runs, high school floats, a week-long FFA celebration in school (Moo-ga, anyone?), field trips across the country, Christmas baskets, growing 4,000 ears of corn to donate to the local Food Bank.
They grow up surrounded by agriculture. They know it’s a tough life. Is there a future in it?
Veterinarian-to-be Leann has won recognition as a public speaker. She’s also raising a steer, she said, smiling.
FFA District 8 President Brittany Trumbul’s family sold their dairy cows. She wants to be a doctor, and own horses and sheep.
“But no cows,” she said, with a grin. “No cows.”
Then there’s Logan Robinson, an 8th grader, whose family’s farm stretches back to his great grandfather.
He knows farming is hard, with a lot of ups and downs. Dairy farming’s in a hard spot now, he said. He’s young, yet, but he knows his mind. And his future.
“I’ve told people before,” he said. “I’m not in it for the money. I’m in it because I love it.”
By Mary Perham
The Courier
JASPER – Jasper-Troupsburg Junior Leann Green lives in the country and wants to be a large animal vet. Her classmate, Brittany Trumbul grew up on a farm and is a future ob/gyn physician.
Both teenagers are leaders in the school’s FFA – and credit the national organization for giving them the skills they’ll need for their careers and adult lives.
There was a time when FFA – then Future Farmers of America – had chapters in every school in rural, agriculturally based Steuben County. There are now two chapters, in J-T and Prattsburgh Central School, and the organization is now officially known by its initials only.
But in an area – and an industry – hard hit by the economy, future farmers may be scarcer on the ground than in years past. Future agriculture-related businesses are growing.
“We teach more than farming,” said FFA Advisor Phil Marsh, the school Agriculture/Technology teacher. “It’s about agri-business, too.”
Marsh said one out of 100 Americans are farmers. Nearly 20 percent of all Americans are involved in agricultural industries, he said.
Leann likes the FFA’s focus on leadership and joined because her friends did. She is now president of the school’s chapter.
The chapter also tangles with current environmental issues, with the J-T group researching and presenting debates on the Marcellus Shale and wind farms.
And oh yeah, the 50-member J-T FFA also knows how to have fun and purpose – ATV runs, high school floats, a week-long FFA celebration in school (Moo-ga, anyone?), field trips across the country, Christmas baskets, growing 4,000 ears of corn to donate to the local Food Bank.
They grow up surrounded by agriculture. They know it’s a tough life. Is there a future in it?
Veterinarian-to-be Leann has won recognition as a public speaker. She’s also raising a steer, she said, smiling.
FFA District 8 President Brittany Trumbul’s family sold their dairy cows. She wants to be a doctor, and own horses and sheep.
“But no cows,” she said, with a grin. “No cows.”
Then there’s Logan Robinson, an 8th grader, whose family’s farm stretches back to his great grandfather.
He knows farming is hard, with a lot of ups and downs. Dairy farming’s in a hard spot now, he said. He’s young, yet, but he knows his mind. And his future.
“I’ve told people before,” he said. “I’m not in it for the money. I’m in it because I love it.”
