We Are the Future! Gridley Ag Discovery Day
Apr 15, 2022 12:00AM ● By By Seti Long
FFA Youth Leaders prepare to show incoming Freshmen around the greenhouse and help them start their own seedlings at FFA Ag Discovery Day. Pictured left to right: Ellie Woods, Gracie Dewsnup, and Aubrey Dunning. Photo by Seti Long
GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Incoming freshmen got a closer look at what Gridley High School’s Ag Department and Future Farmers of America program had to offer at Ag Discovery Day.
Wednesday, April 6th, eighth graders from both Sycamore Middle School and Manzanita School were invited to the GHS Campus where Ag department Staff and FFA Youth Leaders ushered them through a total of 7 stations, giving these future freshmen a hands-on look at all the branches of the Ag Department.
At each station, current Ag Department students shared their experiences in their chosen pathway and got real with their peers about the multitude of options available to them in the Ag Department. Among the stations were agriscience, where incoming freshmen got to tie-dye t-shirts, the floral station, where students got to create their own boutonnieres, or the CDE station, short for Career Development Event station, where students got a taste of what poultry judging was like, all the way from chicken nuggets to identifying the breed of bird. Other Stations included public speaking, animal science, with lambs and turkeys on display for students to touch, the Ag welding station and greenhouse.
In the Ag welding department, current welding students familiarized incoming freshmen with metal cutting, welding and more, with students having a chance to don welding gear and hold a torch. In the greenhouse, the 8th graders got their hands dirty, planting seeds of their choosing, learning how the greenhouse works, and how plants were propagated in preparation for the upcoming FFA Plant Sale.
The day finished with a picnic lunch of BBQ’d hotdogs cooked by Ag students, which was enjoyed by all participants to music outside the Ag Department.
As mentioned, the Ag Department is preparing for its upcoming plant sale, with proceeds benefitting the Ag Department. The FFA Spring Plant Sale, comprised of succulents, flowering plants and vegetables grown by Ag students, will be held April 19th and 21st, from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Ag welding students will have hand-made garden art on display for sale, and those inclined may also pick up FFA gear in support of the organization.
If interested in the sale, but unable to attend during the scheduled hours, AG Advisor Ms. Madelyn Vaca says the public may email her directly at [email protected] or call the school at (530) 846 -4791 to schedule an appointment for a greenhouse visit.
