Cassville FFA to Represent Missouri
SEDALIA, Mo. - The Cassville FFA Chapter was chosen to represent the Missouri FFA Association in the Hall of States this October during the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. Only one chapter from each state earns this honor.
Cassville FFA accomplished this because members worked this summer to design and build an educational booth for the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. The students’ booth titled, “Just one piece of the puzzle; Come home to Missouri FFA,” won first place and a trip to the Hall of States. The display highlights the different types of agriculture found in Barry County. We rank 1st in poultry production, 3rd in beef cattle production, and have thousands of agritourism visitors every year enjoying the natural resources at Roaring River State Park.
The FFA members also interviewed several agricultural leaders in our area and produced a video to educate the public about the different pieces of agriculture that make up the Barry County puzzle. The video was incorporated into the educational display and viewed by thousands of visitors at the 2018 Missouri State Fair. FFA members interviewed Terrell Varner and he explained the day-to-day process in his 8 house turkey operation; Drew Henbest described buying, selling, and feeding cattle at his feedlot; and Brad Farwell with Roaring River said, “Agritourism is essentially the reason this hatchery is here.” The fish hatchery releases approximately 260,000 fish each year into Roaring River and annually draws 400,000 visitors to fish, hike and camp in the park.
Cassville FFA is hoping to set up the students educational booth in local businesses to allow Barry County citizens the opportunity to enjoy the display. If your business is interested in hosting the booth for a 1-2 week period in September please contact either Jimmy Hinson or John Littlefield at (417) 847-4610 or email jlittlefield@cassville.k12.mo.us