The Atlantic FFA has two big fundraisers every year. Fruit sales are the biggest fundraiser that the FFA puts on. Fruit sales are usually in November.

FFA members get packets to sell fruit, butter braids, pickled herring, cookie dough, candy, meat and cheese.  The students go out and try to sell these things all around Atlantic. FFA adviser Eric Miller said, “The goal for this is for the kids to get out and learn how to interact with the community.” He hoped that each student would sell at least sell $500 worth of product. 

FFA president Cale Pellett said that he sold “about $700 worth this year.”  The profits go towards convention trips, leadership camps and FFA jackets for new members.

Some students are surprised by how much they sell to only one person. Sophomore Adriana Mendez said, “I think I have sold somewhere around $200.”  The more money each kid raises, the more points he or she gets.  Points then determine who all goes to conventions and leadership camps. There is also a 10,000-point club students work towards. The only way to get into the club is by going to a lot of FFA conventions, volunteer work, and leadership work which fruit sales all help pay for. In the last three years only nine people have gotten on this.  It is something that you have to work hard for.

The Atlantic FFA also does the Sweet Corn fundraiser. FFA got the land for the corn donated. They plant and pick sweet corn every year.  The FFA picks the sweet corn during late summer. They usually give it to Hyvee to sell and then Hyvee gives the FFA the money.  

This year the FFA thought they might do something different.  After the corn is picked they send it to Marshalltown. Where they take the ear of sweet corn use water pressure to take kennels off and clean it.  Then they take the kernels off for the FFA and freeze it.  The FFA then would go and get it back from Marshalltown. FFA then tries to sell it here in Atlantic. They sold some of it at the farmers market at the community building.  They will also be selling it during school events. They gave some to the Atlantic High School to put in there school lunches so be looking for it at lunch. Miller said, “We still have a bunch to sell.”