Middle school FFA program successful

A new program is underway at Thermopolis Middle School and so far, has been extremely successful.

Under the direction of Becky Martinez, middle school students are now able to join an FFA chapter and enjoy all the opportunities FFA offers.

According to Martinez, several students showed a big interest in livestock judging last year, so she contacted Joey Johnson with the 4-H program and from January through April, the kids worked, Johnson kept scores and the top four students got to go to the State Livestock Judging competition.

Martinez decided to get serious and also put together a poultry team.

Needless to say, when they got back they were completely hooked and now Friday enrichment time is invested in the fledgling middle school FFA program and agri-science is now part of the curriculum for seventh graders.

They have 15 official members and have elected officers as well as set a goal of having 30 dues-paying members by Feb. 1.

The group is in the process of trying to raise $4,000 this year to pay for travel to competitions.

Over the summer, Martinez wrote a grant and they received a $2,000 grant from Farm Credit Services of America to purchase jackets that members can ‘borrow’ for competitions. Martinez said she is buying a variety of sizes so no student misses the opportunity to be in FFA due to financial issues.

“I want to remove as many of the financial barriers as possible,” she said. “They are eager to do it and I am eager to help them learn. They are all so excited about this opportunity.”