By CATHERINE LEGG / Community Columnist

Saturday was another fun day at Montevallo High School as the ninth annual Keith Adair Memorial Farm Day, sponsored by the MHS Future Farmers of America, was celebrated.

Preceding that event on Friday, the FFA members guided local elementary students as they rotated through a petting zoo, seed planting stations and were entertained with an agriculturally related skit entitled “good farmer” performed by FFA students.

Saturday’s event began with an antique tractor parade and throughout the day everyone enjoyed the live music, children’s fun area, archery exhibit, arts and crafts and petting zoo. There were also demonstrations, great food and wonderful bargains in the silent auction.

FFA students brought their farm animals: Jesse White came with an Angus heifer and bull; Lena Buttgereit with Mallard ducks, a pony and goats; Madison Fancher with rabbits, quail and chickens; Sachie Broadhead with quarter horses, Payton Edwards with a donkey; Elizabeth Frederick with a turkey; and C&J Farms brought Yorkshire pigs.

Some other students who worked tirelessly on Farm Day were C. D. Lawley, Jesse White, Jack Brown, Josh Weeks, and Lucas Sears, Seth Hawks, Meredith Goggins, Brittney Smith, Will Snyder, Randolph Estrada and Luis Perez.

Blake Ray, who is serving his first year as MHS agriscience instructor, said, “In today’s times, older generations perceive young people as disrespectful and incapable of performing a physical task. This event allows the community to see well-groomed, polite and hard working students striving to deliver a free and enjoyable event. Students are given deadlines to have their portion of the event organized, and I think by providing long-term responsibilities, students must rely on self-motivation and creativity to accomplish the task.”

Ray explained he and his students have worked collaboratively with the MHS FFA alumni, a group of community adults who have an interest in the Student FFA Organization and wish to promote the program.

Proceeds of Farm Day are used for agriscience equipment and travel. Readers are asked to watch for upcoming events that include a spring plant sale, a fall citrus fruit sale and next year’s Farm Day.

 

Catherine Legg can be reached by email at clegg2@bellsouth.net.