by KENDALL FARRAR, Bok North FFA Reporter
January was an exciting and productive month for Bok North FFA, kicking off the year with competitions, Ag Literacy initiatives, hands-on labs, industry tours, and preparations for the Polk County Youth Fair. Our members worked tirelessly, accomplishing incredible things and setting the tone for a successful year ahead.
Showcasing Ag Literacy in Polk County
Every month, our FFA officer team visits various elementary schools across Polk County to educate young students about agriculture and its importance. In January, our visits included Janie Howard Wilson, Garden Grove, and Polk Avenue Elementary Schools. The focus for January was pollinators — small but mighty contributors to our ecosystems. During each visit, officers read an engaging book about pollinators and shared snacks made from pollinator-supported foods. By fostering agricultural awareness at an early age, we hope to inspire these students to consider careers in agriculture in the future. These visits also strengthen our partnerships with the community and local schools. We’re proud of our growing relationship
with Polk County and look forward to expanding this impactful program.
Competing in FFA Districts
Following our success at Sub-Districts in December, Bok North FFA advanced to the District 8 competition. Three of our Leadership Development Events (LDEs) teams competed:
- Mya Sullivan — Prepared Public Speaking: Mya prepared a four- to six-minute speech on horticulture and the impact of urban innovators. She delivered her speech to a panel of judges and answered challenging follow-up questions, earning first place.
- LaRae Lawson — Extemporaneous Public Speaking: LaRae crafted a three- to five-minute speech on a randomly assigned agricultural topic in just 30 minutes and fielded judges’ questions with expertise, also taking first place.
- Opening/Closing Ceremonies (OCC) Team: Our officer team, including Brianna
Ritchey, Emily McNutt, Madison O’Neal, LaRae Lawson, Laura Lynn Berkau, Kendall Farrar, and Kaelynn Lopez, performed the official FFA ceremonies and demonstrated their knowledge of parliamentary procedure. The team triumphed over Kathleen Middle, securing first place.
All three competitors will now advance to the state competition in June. To celebrate their hard work and success, the team enjoyed a well-deserved meal at Cracker Barrel, reflecting on their achievements and preparing for the road ahead.
AgriScience Foundations Industry Tour
The AgriScience Foundations class embarked on an exciting industry tour at the Florida Strawberry Growers Association. During the visit, students learned valuable information about the significance and impact of Florida strawberries on agriculture, the economy, and nutrition. They even had the opportunity to pick fresh strawberries to bring home, making the experience both educational and rewarding. Tours like this allow students to connect classroom learning with real-world agriculture and further inspire their passion for the industry.
Hands-On Learning in the Classroom
In the Fundamentals of Agriculture class, students participated in an engaging hands-on lab to explore soil science. Using Oreos, chocolate chips, pudding, coconut flakes, and gummy worms, they created edible soil layers to represent the different components of soil, from topsoil to bedrock. This interactive activity helped students understand the importance of soil in agriculture while adding a fun (and tasty!) twist to their learning experience.
Keeping Polk County Beautiful
The start of the year saw our chapter tackling an unpleasant surprise — discarded dressers and a table left on our adopted road over Christmas. Undeterred, we hosted our first road cleanup of 2025. Monthly cleanups are part of our commitment to keeping Polk County clean and beautiful, and we hope to inspire others in the community to take similar steps toward a better environment.
Chapter Meetings
January’s chapter meeting, planned collaboratively by our officer team, was a hit! Members enjoyed a delicious walking taco meal and participated in a fun game of “Heads Up Seven Up,” with candy prizes for the winners. The meeting included updates on upcoming events and plans for the month, welcoming several new members with open arms.
Preparing for the Polk County Youth Fair
As the Polk County Youth Fair drew closer, our chapter was busy preparing students for success. We hosted three informative meetings to ensure both students and parents were aware of schedules, show requirements, and SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience) projects.
To help students get ready, we organized hands-on workshops, including:
- Rabbit and Chicken Work Days: Rabbits were groomed, and tattoos checked, while chickens were banded and washed.
- Pig Showmanship Training: Eduardo Martinez from Warner University presented an informative and hands-on workshop that allowed members to understand and practice tactics for showing pigs effectively.
- Goat Work Day: Goats had their hooves and beards trimmed, and students practiced walking them in the ring.
These events ensure our students and their animals are well-prepared for the fair, fostering confidence and teamwork along the way.
January in a Nutshell
From showcasing Ag Literacy to excelling in district competitions, touring the Florida
Strawberry Growers Association, conducting hands-on labs in the classroom, and preparing for the Polk County Youth Fair, Bok North FFA started the year on a high note.
We are incredibly proud of all we’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see what February brings. Here’s to another month of growth, learning, and success!
