FFA Field Day

BADGERnews

High school FFA students participate in the horse judging contest.

FFA FIELD DAY

By Lacie Swapp

Snow College celebrated its 50th annual FFA Field Day in October 2021. Field Day is an event that brings high school students from across the state to Snow College to compete in different categories related to the agricultural sciences. The celebration was postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic, but despite the need to follow pandemic restrictions as well as the wet weather, this was the greatest number of students in attendance ever. For the 50th anniversary, 2,114 students participated (up from 1,245 students in 2003) from 79 different high schools around the state.

The students that competed are part of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) at their schools. This is a club that prepares students for careers in the science, business, and technology of agriculture. As teams and individuals, they participate in 11 different areas: Agronomy/ Crops, Range, Land/Soils, Agribusiness, Ag Mechanics, Floriculture, Livestock, Dairy, Horse, Forestry, and Vet Science.

Field Day provides an opportunity to bring thousands of students to campus to promote Snow College and its agriculture program. It was estimated by Jay Olsen, Interim Vice President for Technical Education and Workforce Engagement at Snow College, that approximately one-third of the FFA advisors around the state are Snow College alumni. Regarding Field Day, Jens Andreasen, North Sanpete High School FFA advisor stated, “I feel like this contest has a huge impact on my students, as well as students around the entire state. Snow College Field Day was one of the first events I attended as a freshman in high school while I was at Box Elder a million years ago. These contests are important in the way that they help to prepare these kids for careers and give them a chance to try and do something challenging.” Field day has been an event that the Snow College Agricultural Department has sponsored since 1970. It was under the leadership of Jack Anderson for 36 years and is now led by Jay Olsen, who said, “This is a team effort, and allows the ag students to learn service, leadership, and organizational skills.” This event was made possible with the help of many contributors, most of whom were Snow College students in the Badger Agriculture Club, but there was also assistance from Snow College faculty, Utah FFA Association, state representatives, and many others including members of the local community. All volunteered their time and expertise to help both the high school and college students grow and learn. High school FFA students judge a livestock class in the livestock judging contest.