South Rowan Future Farmers of America

CHINA GROVE — The South Rowan High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter participated in a number of activities this summer to improve student leadership, provide community service and provide recreation for its members.

Activities started with attending N.C. FFA State Convention held June 19-21st in Raleigh. Chapter members Nolan Eudy, Elizabeth Villenuve, Kali Thompson and Harrison Shell competed in the Food Science Career Development Event placing ninth out of 49 teams.

Eudy earned the team’s highest individual score. Other members that competed were Abbey Zentmeyer and Brianna Haynes, who were selected as state winners in the Agriscience Fair’s plant systems Division 6. They will travel to Indianapolis where they will compete at national convention.

Additionally, during the state convention, winners of FFA proficiency awards included Elizabeth Law, who was second in equine placement in the state, and Brianna Haynes, who placed first in the state in agriscience research in plant systems.

South Rowan’s FFA chapter received a 3-star gold National Chapter Award — one of only seven chapters in the state to earn the distinction. The school’s FFA Alumni were also selected as the state Outstanding Alumni Chapter.

South Rowan members also traveled to White Lake to attend a five-day recreation camp during the last week of June. Each year during FFA camp members compete against other chapters in competitive sports events while creating lasting memories and friendships. This year South Rowan’s team included fifteen FFA members that won first place in horse shoes, basketball and 3-point shooting.

On July 18, South Rowan’s FFA held an ice cream turning social at South Rowan High School where members made homemade ice cream to sell at China Grove Farmers Day by cranking 60 freezers of ice cream with the help of Alumni and FFA members. This tradition allows alumni, current members and upcoming freshman a way to meet over hand cranking ice cream.

On July 21, South Rowan FFA members participated in the Farmers Day in downtown China Grove. Throughout the day, upcoming freshman and other members from South Rowan helped working a shift at a booth near the Roller Mill to sell ice cream for the FFA. Homemade ice-cream flavors included peach, strawberry, banana and vanilla ice cream.

Throughout the summer, students helped to harvest produce and collect eggs which were donated to Main Street Mission and Unity Mobile Meals. This project is supported by the National FFA through a Living to Serve Grant that sponsors chapters to identify and address needs of the community. In addition to assisting those in need, our members learn the value of service, a trait we hope will follow them through life. The South Rowan FFA chapter was able to donate more than 4,100 pounds of produce and 435 dozen eggs.

South Rowan FFA President Abbey Zentmeyer also attended the Washington Leadership Conference where she was able to gain leadership skills to bring back to the South Rowan FFA chapter. The overall objective for the conference is for students to become an engaged citizen who can make a measurable positive difference in their communities.

During her trip in Washington she had the chance to meet with elected members of congress — including Senator Tom Tillis — tour the national monuments and created a “Living to Serve” plan for South Rowan’s community.

South Rowan High School’s FFA closed out the summer with the chapter officer retreat on Aug. 8 and 9.   Members participated in the East Peak Challenge ropes course to build teamwork and control their fears.