Fun for all at FFA days in Pine Plains


PINE PLAINS — More than 300 people took part in the school’s annual FFA Agricultural Fall Festival held last Friday and Saturday.

The two-day event included agricultural exhibits at Stissing Mountain High School, livestock contests, an antique car show, a tractor and horse pull, a roast beef dinner and a parade down Route 199.

According to the official New York state FFA Web site, nysffa.org, the group’s mission is to provide young people with opportunities for leadership, growth, and career success. The group’s main focus is to educate students about agriculture and agri-science, and its importance in every day life.

The Pine Plains Chapter of the FFA currently has 30 students enrolled.

Group advisor Christine MacNeil said the FFA is a great experience for children and the event allowed people to get a first-hand look at agriculture without visiting a farm.

"Right now there is a big disconnect between agriculture and the products people get from agriculture, so this even gives people an opportunity to see where their food comes from," MacNeil said. "The FFA is a great experience for kids who do not have an opportunity to interact with farm animals."

Chapter president Henry Staats, a 17-year-old Stissing Mountain High School senior, said the FFA has taught him how to work in a team environment and how to be a role model.

"I’ve also learned that we really need to preserve agriculture because it’s dwindling in this country," Staats said. "There are less farms out there and we need to make sure people know what agriculture really is. To me, agriculture is being in the country and enjoying the land, as well as enjoying the things that come from the land."

Chapter vice-president and 17-year-old senior Heather Bartholf agreed.

"Without agriculture, Pine Plains would not be what it is," Bartholf said. "I have learned a lot of great leadership skills by being in the FFA and I have also met people I never expected to meet."

Saturday’s parade included various floats from area businesses, politicians running for local elections and tractors driven by local area farmers.

Resident Ed Cahilo said the parade is important to the local community.

"It brings everybody in town together," Cahilo said. "I’ve been watching this much for 40 years, and there are a little more people watching the parade now. It’s pretty good."

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