by KENDALL FARRAR, Bok North FFA Reporter
For members of the National FFA Organization, February is more than just another month on the calendar—it’s a time to celebrate leadership, agriculture, service, and community. Members of the Bok North FFA embraced that spirit throughout the month with competitions, industry tours, mentorship programs, and meaningful service projects that made a difference both inside and outside the classroom.
Florida State Fair Success
The month began with an exciting trip to the Florida State Fair, where Bok North FFA members showcased their knowledge and skills in a variety of competitions while celebrating agriculture and America’s 250th birthday.
Five Bok North FFA members also exhibited cattle during the fair.
- Isabell McKeon placed first in her class with her Brahman-influenced commercial heifer, Maple.
- Kendall Farrar earned second place in showmanship for her age division.
- Lane Walker had an outstanding week, winning Grand Champion in both the Open and Youth shows with his bull Mississippi Man, along with Reserve in his division with his heifer Bloody Mary.
- Jackson Dasher was featured in official fair photography.
For many members, the state fair provided valuable hands-on learning while strengthening their passion for agriculture.
National FFA Week: Celebrating and Serving
February also brought National FFA Week, a nationwide celebration highlighting agricultural education, leadership, and service.
Members participated in themed dress-up days, teacher appreciation gifts, an FFA chapter showcase, and community outreach activities that celebrated the role agriculture plays in everyday life.
During the week, the chapter also launched its “From Our Hearts to Your Home” initiative, a service project designed to support families in need. Members assembled, packed, and distributed 100 meal kits to the Lake Wales Care Center.
Each shelf-stable kit contained everything needed to prepare a hearty meal for a family, including recipes such as chicken pot pie, chili cheese cornbread, and cheesy tuna casserole. The kits even included a pan for cooking, ensuring families had the tools needed to prepare the meals.
Members also assembled birthday celebration kits complete with cake mix, candles, and festive banners to help families celebrate special moments together. Through this initiative, members demonstrated that the heart of FFA lies not only in agriculture but also in service to the community.
More Florida FFA Career Development Events
Members of Bok North FFA continued to showcase their agricultural knowledge through several National FFA Organization Career Development Events (CDEs). Teams competed in the Florida State FFA Food Science CDE, the Florida State FFA Livestock Evaluation CDE, and the Florida FFA State Milk Quality CDE, earning strong results with a 6th-place finish in Food Science and 9th overall in both Livestock Evaluation and Milk Quality.
Members also represented the chapter at the Polk County FFA Quiz Bowl, where LaRae and Aria captured 1st place, demonstrating their knowledge of agriculture and FFA history. In the Polk County Nursery/Landscape contest, team members Katelynn, Noah, Vera, and Jaelynn earned 3rd place.
To round out February, additional members competed in the Meat Identification and Aquaculture CDE preliminaries. While the teams did not advance to the state competition this year, the experience provided valuable preparation and helped strengthen their skills for future contests.
Golden Ridge Groves Industry Tour
Students in the foundations classes also explored Florida agriculture firsthand during an industry tour of Golden Ridge Groves.
The visit began in the citrus groves, where students learned that a fully mature citrus tree takes about eight years to grow. They also discovered how growers manage pests and protect trees during Florida’s occasional cold snaps by spraying water that freezes around the fruit, creating a protective barrier against damaging temperatures.
Inside the facility, students toured the processing areas and even stepped inside a 40-degree cold storage room where citrus is stored before processing. In the juice room, students had the opportunity to juice fresh fruit and take home a bottle of their own citrus juice. They also learned how blending multiple citrus varieties creates a balanced flavor profile.
The tour concluded with a stop in the store area, where students enjoyed citrus-inspired ice cream in flavors like orange and berry. The experience gave students a deeper understanding of one of Florida’s most iconic agricultural industries.
Agricultural Literacy and Wellness Warriors
FFA members also spent time mentoring younger students at Janie Howard Wilson Elementary School through agricultural literacy activities and the Wellness Warriors program.
During the visit, officers read a children’s book about agriculture and discussed the importance of farming and food production in the community. Students then completed a hands-on activity and asked questions about agriculture and where their food comes from.
As part of the Wellness Warriors peer mentoring program, FFA members also worked with fifth graders to help them prepare for their transition to middle school. The program focuses on building positive friendships, organizational skills, and healthy coping mechanisms, helping students feel confident and supported as they move into sixth grade.
A Month to Remember
From competing at the state fair to mentoring younger students and serving families in need, February was a month filled with purpose for Bok North FFA members. The experiences gained through competitions, industry tours, and service projects continue to shape students into confident leaders and advocates for agriculture.
With March ahead, Bok North FFA looks forward to building on the momentum of February and continuing to grow, lead, and serve their community.