FFA Sentinel

Beuregard FFA: Lee County Fair

BY: MICHAEL VANN

Livestock shows, funnel cakes, and the best jam in the county – nothing welcomes the season of fall quite like the county fair. These celebrations highlight the things that make communities special. County fairs give the general public an up-close look at local agriculture and give local FFA Chapters the opportunity to increase agricultural literacy in their communities.

The Beauregard FFA Chapter in Lee County accepted the challenge to construct an educational booth to educate fairgoers about Lee County agriculture. Students from Mrs. Dyess’s Agriscience classes put their heads together to create the ultimate theme for their booth, “Celebrating Lee County Agriculture Under the Big Top.”

Once the theme was decided, FFA members turned the shop space into a makeshift fairground, constructing a big-top tent frame and an eight-foot Ferris wheel. Students gained experience using a CNC Table Router to cut out the silhouette of Lee County for the focal point of the booth, the “Lee County Ag Facts” marquee. FFA members researched important facts about Lee County agriculture, which they proudly displayed on the marquee.

And, of course, there was glitter. Allison Sheeley, a first-year FFA member, honed both her research skills and her crafting skills. “I had a lot of fun learning about agriculture close to where I live. And I liked glittering the Lee County Marquee!”

While crops and livestock are important agricultural commodities in Lee County, the members of Beauregard FFA realized their own importance to Lee County agriculture. Students crafted miniature versions of themselves to place on the seats of the Ferris wheel, along with quotes about why they are excited about agriculture and being an FFA member.

“My favorite part of building the fair booth was we got to build everything in our own way,” says Christopher Gamble, a second-year FFA member. “I was really proud of what we came up with.”

The chapter’s efforts were rewarded with the blue ribbon and a cash prize that will be invested back in the chapter. Perhaps the greatest reward was the pride cultivated in the FFA members for their chapter. Evan Yeatts, a first-year FFA member, captured the spirit perfectly. “I can’t believe we won. Hearing our hard work paid off was the greatest part of my week.”

The booth won first place at the Lee County Fair.

Students were able to utilize their woodworking skills to create this amazing display to advocate for agriculture.

For many of these students, this was the first time they learned about power tools and were able to participate in a project of this nature.

The smiling faces show just how excited the students were to complete this project.

Students were challenged to think critically as they worked to design the fair booth.