Nathan Jeffers/photo

Pictured (from left) are FFA members Kaitlyn Dunn, Jordan Muncy, Reporter Molly Fellure, Sentinel Amber Mayes, Vice President Kyle Kidwell, Treasurer Levi Pickens, and Parliamentarian Caitlyn Parsons.

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MASON COUNTY — Members of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter at the Mason County Career Center (MCCC) are gearing up for a full week of activities during National FFA Week, set for Feb. 16-23.

FFA Vice President Kyle Kidwell, Treasurer Levi Pickens, Parliamentarian Caitlyn Parsons, Reporter Molly Fellure and Sentinel Amber Mayes all spoke with the Point Pleasant Register, saying their list of events includes a flag raising on Tuesday morning, a radio spot on Friday morning, as well as an open house at 6 p.m. on Friday at the MCCC and a breakfast where the members will feed Mason County Schools maintenance staff.

Each day throughout the week has a different theme, and students are encouraged to participate by wearing themed attire. Since there is no school on Monday due to President’s Day, the themes begin on Tuesday with tractor brand day, bibs day on Wednesday, FFA apparel day on Thursday, and camo/boot day on Friday.

In addition to these events, the bigger purpose of FFA week is to spread the word about the organization and help recruit future members. Chapter officers will be traveling to elementary schools across the county to talk about FFA and the opportunities available to the younger students who will have an opportunity to become more involved when they reach 7th and 8th grade.

As well as serving as the chapter’s vice president, Kidwell also serves as the State Vice President for FFA and discussed his special duties for the week, saying he will be traveling around to different counties to promote FFA and to encourage other students who may not have FFA programs available at their school to get involved. Kidwell said he will be traveling to schools in the southwestern area of the state from Wirt to Lincoln Counties.

FFA members Kaitlyn Dunn and Jordan Muncy spoke to the Point Pleasant Register on another FFA related activity, the Farm to School program which allows Mason County students to dine on locally grown produces and other food items. Dunn and Muncy described the program as a way to keep locally grown items local, as well as a way for student farmers to sell their products to the local schools.

This program was kicked off earlier this school year when the Mason County Board of Education (BOE) purchased five steers from the 2012 Mason County Fair’s Livestock Sale, as well as locally grown potatoes, summer squash, green beans, tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers for a full meal of locally grown products. Locally grown wheat, which became hamburger buns, was also purchased.

Also at the most recent BOE meeting, board members approved Feb. 16-23 as National FFA Week, as well as approving a proclamation recognizing February as National Career and Technical Education Month. More on Career and Technical Education Month appear in a later edition of the Point Pleasant Register.