Special to the Herald
Effingham County – Middle and high school FFA chapters across Effingham County came together to celebrate National FFA Week from February 3 to February 7, hosting various events highlighting the importance of agriculture and community service.
One of the most impactful events was the First Responders Breakfast, hosted by Effingham County High School (ECHS) FFA and Effingham College & Career Academy (ECCA) FFA at ECCA, and South Effingham High School (SEHS) FFA hosting a lunch on their campus. These events were a collaborative effort with the Effingham County Farm Bureau, with special thanks to Theresa Pevey for her support in making the event a success. The breakfasts and lunches were a token of appreciation for the hard work and dedication of local first responders who tirelessly serve the community.
In addition to honoring first responders, the Ebenezer Middle School (EMS) FFA chapter organized a competitive canned food drive to support ongoing relief efforts in North Carolina. The collected supplies will be donated to the Baptist Church at Ebenezer, leading a mission trip to Swannanoa, NC, an area still struggling with recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene. The church will take another round of supplies next weekend, with volunteers assisting at a distribution hub to help those in need. EMS FFA has collected around 200 cans, and Dunkin’ Donuts has generously offered breakfast to the homeroom, which donates the most items.
ECCA hosted a variety of activities throughout the week:
· Monday - MOOve-It Monday: In collaboration with Coach Koerner's PE classes, students participated in exercise activities designed for strength and endurance training. They also enjoyed a yogurt bar with various toppings as a healthy snack.
· Tuesday - Tik-Tok Tuesday: In addition to the First Responders Breakfast, students created educational videos on staying safe in an agricultural education lab setting.
· Wednesday - Multicultural Agriculture Day: Students participated in a multicultural scavenger hunt to explore different cultures in agriculture. ECCA hosted a "Nacho Average Teacher" nacho bar to show appreciation for faculty and staff.
· Thursday - Campus Beautification: Students engaged in a cleanup initiative, collecting trash and debris around campus. The floriculture class also pruned the Crepe Myrtles at the school's entrance.
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ECHS FFA also hosted several events to celebrate the week:
· Provided donuts and coffee for all ECHS faculty and staff to show appreciation for their hard work and support.
· Led an educational session for the February Bulldog Aggies meeting at Springfield Elementary School, where FFA members taught a lesson and facilitated hands-on activities about FFA and careers in agriculture.
SEHS FFA hosted an AG-ceptually AG-tive Dance Party, engaging students in a fun and educational way to celebrate agriculture and its significance in their daily lives.
FFA Week in Effingham County raised awareness about agriculture and reinforced the importance of community service and leadership among students. The events exemplified the core values of the National FFA Organization—leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.
For more information about Effingham County FFA chapters and their initiatives, contact the respective schools or their websites.
