Lost River FFA students won the 10th annual Oregon Ag Fest Agricultural Education Award this month for their agricultural outreach and education efforts.
Lost FFA shared the win with the Oregon Dairy Princess Ambassador program. Both organizations received $1,000 for their exceptional efforts, according to a press release from Oregon Ag Fest.
Lost River FFA members have worked to increase agricultural awareness in their community through their Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom Literacy project, participation in the Klamath Basin Farm Expo, Farm to School projects and Agriculture Field Days at Malin and Merrill elementary schools.
Students manage school gardens at three school-based locations. They also hatch chicks for their chicken coop project, which elementary kids were able to witness as part of the literacy program. To emphasize hands-on learning, Lost River FFA raises their own food for their school cafeteria, including eggs, lamb, hogs, beef, and vegetables.
“Their advocacy efforts span beyond the school year, sharing the importance of agriculture year-round in their community and broader region,” said Michele Ruby, Oregon Ag Fest executive director.
The purpose of the Ag Fest Agricultural Education Award is to reward student organizations, non-profit organizations, or classrooms that promote and educate Oregonians about agriculture and extend the Oregon Ag Fest mission beyond its annual, two-day, interactive event.
“Oregon Ag Fest is dedicated to educating the public about the importance of agriculture, and we see this award as a way to encourage and support student groups and non-profit organizations that have programs and activities aimed to accomplish the same thing,” said Leah Rue, Oregon Ag Fest chair.