The Riverland FFA comes together for a meeting at Riverland Community College.
Riverland Community College FFA advisor Nick Schiltz briefs the members of the FFA on an upcoming project during a meeting at Riverland Community College’s east campus. Photos by Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Fields of Opportunity
Riverland Community College’s Ag and Food Science Technology Club is making leaders By Deb Nicklay
Deb.nicklay@austindailyherald.com
The establishment of Riverland Community College’s Ag and Food Science Technology Club has opened a field of opportunities to not only collegiate fans of agriculture, but high school FFA members as well. There are 37 members of the club that includes high school FFAers from Austin High School. It is not a prerequisite at the high school level; of that club’s 20 or so members, about eight are part of the Riverland group. It is a rare collaboration. While there are some colleges in the state that offer a collegiate level ag club, it is the only one that offers that kind of collaboration between the two education levels, said adviser Nick Schiltz.
Riverland FFA President Kayline Schechinger leads a late 2017 meeting at Riverland Community College. The idea was generated by now-president Kayline Schechinger, but she is quick to say she won’t take all the credit. A fellow student “kind of spontaneously mentioned the idea” of establishing some type of ag-based
club that took the FFA model past high school. It took on a life of its own, and soon, it began to come together, she said. The club officially began to organize in September 2017. “I think, coming from
high school, you have that bond you had in high school (in FFA),” she added. “You want to keep up with leadership skills, and everything you learned in high school, you can use here.”
Hayley Wedin, who kinds of opportunities serves as club secretary, help Riverland “offer added that involvement the best in our class food at the collegiate level science curriculum to opens more career high school and college opportunities. kids; and, by providing “And I think it helps opportunities to learn to bring more focus on a outside of the classroom career path,” said Codie with projects, we provide Wolfe, the club treasurer. that extra experience we Wolfe is a good example cannot replicate in the of the collaborative classroom. nature of the new club. “We want to make A high school junior, he sure the students we is vice president of the have those experiences Austin High School FFA, – and they are among and treasurer for the the brightest students Riverland club. we have here, the most In addition to being involved.” involved in judging Schechinger said club teams, the club has an formation continues, and intentional focus of the first year is a learning working in the community year. on projects that benefit the “What we’re doing This story, and much more, can be found in our annual agricultural population – this year may be done Progress edition, on shelves now. its Feed a Farmer during differently next year,” she the harvest season is good added. example of that – but also in addition to agriculture. we’re not exclusive,” said “We’re working out the community as a whole. “I did the fair since I Schiltz. “We all play a role kinks as we go along,” “We work to support was little, with 4-H and in ag in some fashion; the agreed Wolfe. the food pantry, collect One thing is abiding, stuff ” said Schechinger, food we eat, products we for Christmas,” said however: this group is who always enjoyed the make. These members Bailey Schwarz, the club’s opportunities provided committed to service. will be leaders in their vice president. The club They have been in that organization and community at some worked with the high discussing packaging FFA. Schwarz agreed, point.” school FFA to ring bells meals for Kids Against adding that growing up Schechinger said the for the Austin Salvation Hunger, too. on a farm is a special club will also provide Army; it was involved in “We have put a lot of environment. support when Riverland the annual Corn Drive. work into this,” said “It just goes to show hosts its Ag Summit this The group also solicited Schwarz. “And we are you that our kids enjoy month. funds for United Way. getting a lot out of it, too.” being involved in ag – Schiltz added these “They are always doing a project,” praised Schiltz. “They are busy, involved students.” The officer group represents a good cross section of interest. Schechinger, Wolfe and club historian William Okweari are from Austin, and Schwarz is from Vernon Center. Wedin is from Alden; Alex Hagen, the club reporter, is from Albert Lea. Not all members in the group are geared toward an ag career. Some are headed to nursing careers; others, law enforcement, or business, Riverland instructor Dan Hoffman is an adviser for the Riverland FFA.
Progress 2018