Future Farmers of America (FFA) prides themselves on serving communities throughout the country via the education of future farmers through service learning.
A nationwide organization is doing everything it can to help Chippewa County thrive during a worldwide pandemic.
FFA, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is an American 501 youth organization, specifically focusing on middle and high school classes that promote and support agricultural education.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the vast majority of its activities for the past year have been held virtually. While this has put many organizations on hold, FFA is doing everything it can to help its student members thrive regardless of local conditions.
Ben Styer, Wisconsin State vice president of FFA representing section two, said the pandemic has been a hurdle FFA members in west central Wisconsin have had to get over, as it has affected nearly every aspect of normal life regardless of your lifestyle.
“Covid has put challenges in our way this year,” Styer said. “When you have an organization that is known for its presence in the community and having hands-on learning, a global pandemic is going to be very difficult to deal with.”
In 2020-21 the state FFA theme is “Unstoppable,” as a way of helping members continue to work hard to become college and career ready. While remaining socially distant and health conscious, members of FFA in the Chippewa Valley have participated in highway cleanups and blood drives, and supplied area hospitals with COVID-19 supply kits.
“It’s been really incredible to see all of the work that our members have still been able and willing to do,” Styer said. “We’re going to be able to take a lot of things away from this experience even after the pandemic is over and life returns to a new version of normal.”
While many organizations have taken the past year off and opted to wait until health conditions have normalized to restart their activities, Styer said having FFA as a constant presence in the community is essential to health and vitality of the next generation of future farmers and workers alike.
“Student involvement in the organization goes beyond just extracurricular involvement,” Styer said. “It exposes students to career opportunities and experiences they wouldn’t have otherwise.”
For more information on FFA and the work it is doing during the pandemic, visit https://www.ffa.org/.
Holmen, Wis.
Three besties caring for each other by wearing masks
Jim Falls, Wis.
My granddaughter Johana and I - Getting through COVID-19 pandemic - "We can do it!"
La Crescent, MInn.
This is my 3 year old son Julian. I like to get my kids their favorite color and/or character to make it a little more fun to wear.
Working at the Tomah VA serving our Veterans during this pandemic!
In My Family We all Wear Our Masks Cindy And Baby V
mask made by fellow West Salem High School chemistry teacher
La Crosse punk
"My band had some masks printed to add to our merchandise line-up! Zammek - La Crosse Punk"
Lace for a lady
Caring for the community
A retired state social worker and her daughter who is a public school teacher say, “wearing masks when out and about is a simple and loving thing to do for your community.”
A mask with bling
Fancy that - a mask with bling!
Dinner guests
Having dinner guests together at home. Left to right, Don Smith, Mary Rohrer, and Nancy Korn Smith. We asked our readers to show off their masks for all to see. Use a form at https://go.lacrossetribune.com/Photos and send photos our way. We’ll put them in galleries that we will share on social media, and we’ll publish some of them in our papers.
A Friendly smile
"I intended this to my likeness and a friendly everyday mask. I was disappointed when i received it. Frankly, it's ridiculous...so I'll give readers a good laugh."
October 6: GIrls WIAA Division 2 sectional golf
Aquinas’ Alexis Smith hits an approach shot at the WIAA Division 2 girls golf sectional at Drugan’s Castle Mound in Holmen.
October 2: Edgar vs Onalaska
The Onalaska dance team performs at halftime.
October 2: Edgar vs Onalaska
Masked spectators watch the game.
September 22: Aquinas vs Onalaska
JB Weiser makes a save for Aquinas.
September 17: Westby vs Aquinas
Aquinas’ Lauren Kelsey, left, and Victoria Nolte attempt a block on Westby’s Macy Stellner.
September 17: Westby vs Aquinas
Aquinas’ Victoria Nolte serves.
September 17: Westby vs Aquinas
The Westby tem celebrates a point won.
Holmen school lunches
Heather Mathwig, right, and Analise Smith with the Holmen School District Nutrition Department bag individual pizzas at Holmen Middle School.
Noodles & Company
Menche Evans cooks in the kitchen at the new Noodles & Company in Onalaska.
September 10: Dover-Eyota vs. La Crescent-Hokah
La Crescent-Hokah girls soccer head coach Jake Smith talks with player Olivia Meyer.
Onalaska Football
Onalaska head coach Tom Yashinsky runs football practice.
College during COVID
Western Technical College student Emery Thompson has his temperature taken by human resources department employee Jackie Kettner before entering the bookstore.
College during COVID
Face mask wearing students walk to and from classes on the first day of the fall semester on the UW-La Crosse campus.
Vice President Pence at Dairyland
Attendees give applause during the "A Stronger America Workforce" event at Dairyland Power Cooperative.
Vice President Pence at Dairyland
A woman in attendance for the "A Stronger America Workforce" event at Dairyland Power Cooperative with Vice President Mike Pence wears a patriotic facemask.
Scooping up smiles
Marty Diersen with the Sweet Shop hands a cone to Joy Benson, a member of Logan High School’s class of 1969, dressed as the children’s book character Raggedy Ann.
