Mattoon High School FFA students share their knowledge of agriculture with grade school students in the Farm To School program.
FFA students visit with two second grade classes at Arland D. Williams Jr. Elementary School and a fifth grade class at Riddle Elementary School. A recent lesson hosted by the FFA was about fall crops including pumpkins. Examples of some of the lessons include dairy, soil (worms, dirt) and planting the Fit 2 Serve garden and tours of the ag and FFA programs at MHS.
The lessons are created and led by FFA members. Farm To School teaches younger students about ag related subjects but it also teaches FFA students about lesson planning, organization, reviewing and knowing the subject matter, presenting, patience, poise, leadership and mentoring, said Karl Rabe, adviser, FFA.
After each lesson, Rabe and the students review the parts of the lesson that worked and what improvements could be made next time.
Rabe credited FFA student Hannah Spain with introducing the program last year. He said the teachers and students loved the program and they decided to offer it again this year.