As part of a national recognition week, the Dell Rapids area chapter of the FFA is celebrating from Feb. 18-25. National FFA Week is an annual event with more than 500,000 members participating across the country.

“It is important to celebrate National FFA Week to help get the word out about this great organization that helps students achieve premier leadership, personal growth and career success,” chapter adviser Tom Wolff said. “The FFA helps members develop their own unique talents and explore their interest in a broad range of career pathways.”

Throughout the week, FFA members have been involved in various projects, including purchasing muffins for the school staff on Tuesday to show appreciation, as well as the “Ag Olympics,” which gives students the chance to test their skills during agriculture classes on Tuesday.

Today, students are invited to drive a tractor to school to symbolize strong ties to production agriculture. Plans for Thursday include a relay for non-members during a school pep rally. On Friday, FFA members are asked to dress up like cowboys and cowgirls to show support for National FFA Week.

Rounding out the week, the local chapter will have a booth at the Farm, Home and Hobby Show Friday and Saturday at the elementary school.

Wolff said that a favorite annual event for the group is the Ag Olympics.

“They get to compete in events such as a nail-pounding contest, board-sawing contest and a wheelbarrow race,” he said. “Driving a tractor to school is also a big hit with members who get a chance to drive a tractor.”

FFA, which was first organized in 1928 as a group for boys looking to learn skills to use while working on the farm, has expanded to include all areas of agriculture and all interested students.


Membership within FFA includes more than a half-million, in about 7,500 chapters, in all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

“Agriculture is more than planting and harvesting,” Wolff said, “It’s a science, it’s a business and it’s an art. We are preparing the future generations for the challenges of feeding a growing population.”

Plans beyond the current week include a busy spring full of events, according to the adviser. March 6 will bring the first chance for FFA members to show off their skills in 15 different career development areas at a DeSmet meet.

This will be followed by meets in Tri-Valley, Flandreau, Lennox and Brookings throughout the month of March. These events lead up to the state convention in Brookings April 15-17, which will bring the four members that do the best in various areas as representation for each chapter.

“(These events) are called ‘career development events’ because all of the skills learned and developed in those areas can prepare members for future careers,” Wolff said. “The area of agriculture is continually growing in the need for qualified people to fill jobs in providing food, fiber and fuel.”