National FFA Week runs from Saturday to Saturday. This year, the week kicked off on Feb. 18 and ended on Saturday, Feb. 24. National FFA Week is a time for FFA members to raise awareness about the National FFA Organization’s role in developing future leaders in agriculture and the importance of agricultural education.

FFA provides the next generation of leaders who will change the world. As the nation’s top school-based youth leadership development organization, FFA helps young people meet new agricultural challenges by encouraging members to develop their unique talents and explore their interests in various career pathways. FFA members are our future leaders, food suppliers, innovators and more.

Atlantic FFA members participated in a variety of different events and dress up days as the week continued. On Monday, Atlantic FFA members began Carhartt/Western Day where students recognized harding individuals that make our community strong. Monday was also FFA Bingo during seminar where winning teams were given healthy, nutritious snacks that represented a variety of agricultural crops. Senior Hudson Goff said, “Bingo was a great way to kick off FFA Week and spread the message of FFA.”

Tuesday, FFA members celebrated Dress Like Your Favorite Teacher Day to give a shout out to our favorite teachers who work hard every day. FFA members also looked around the building for miniature pigs and turned them in to Atlantic FFA Advisor, Eric Miller, for a fruit snack prize. “It was super fun to go around and look for the mini pigs with my friends, and I’m happy there was a prize,” said Maggie Cohrs.

Wednesday is a favorite for Atlantic FFA members, Tractor Day. This year 16 FFA members drove a variety of tractors. “We had modern tractors all the way to antique tractors this year,” said Miller. “Thank you to all of the families that participated this year.”

Also FFA members had Anything but a Backpack Day where students showed off their imagination and brought unique items to carry around their school supplies that are used every day. FFA officer and senior, Charli Goff said, “It’s a great way to showcase Iowa agriculture and a fun experience for our FFA members.”

Thursday was American/Patriotic Day at AHS. Students and staff dressed in red, white, and blue to celebrate America. Thursday morning, the Atlantic FFA Chapter Officer Team cooked breakfast for the staff at AHS. The morning began by FFA members cooking butter braids in the FCS kitchen. Chapter President, Colton Rudy, then used a Blackstone griddle that was purchased with a gift card from Tractor Supply in Atlantic to cook sausage links, bacon, eggs and finally pancakes. FFA Officers Goff, Lola Comes, Lily Johnson, and Claire Pellett kept Rudy supplied with food for the griddle and set everything up in the Ag room. The meal was a success, and Atlantic History Teacher Terry Hinzman said, “The FFA is very visible in the school district thanks to Mr Miller. They do a lot behind the scenes at the school”.

Atlantic FFA members wrapped up the week wearing their FFA Tee Shirt day to celebrate the Atlantic FFA. Each FFA member also took an individual photo with the FFA emblem. These photos will be used on the Chapter Website and Chapter Scrapbook. FFA members also played Ag Olympics that were run by Rudy and Goff. Rudy said ”It’s great to get kids moving in class and showing off some of the skills that agriculturists need on a daily basis”

*The original report was edited for clarity.