On Wednesday, Jan. 23, Hamilton FFA made history by signing their official FFA charter in front of students, sponsors, and many supporting community members. The ceremony was held in the Hamilton gymnasium with Kansas FFA state officers and special guests Jory Ratzlaff (President) and Natalee Bray (Sentinel), joining in on the celebration. Hamilton FFA officers were presented with chapter jackets, pins, and ties/scarves by Amy Allen, the program coordinator of the BEST (Beginning Educator’s Support Team). In addition, the officers were presented with a large inaugural FFA banner that will be hung in the school gymnasium. Following the officers, additional chapter members took their turn in signing the chapter charter.
After the charter signing ceremony, chapter and state officers conducted a four-station rotation for the junior high and high school students consisting of teamwork/cooperation games, a food science contest, skillathon and an agriculture break-out box to celebrate and educate about the importance of agriculture not only in our area, but in the world.
In a significant step towards promoting sustainable agriculture and education, a new greenhouse was also inaugurated at USD 390 on Wednesday. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the beginning of an exciting journey for the students and the community.
History In The Making For Hamilton Schools As Official FFA Charter Was Signed . . . .
The Patterson Foundation funded the new state-of-the-art greenhouse. It will be home to a variety of vegetables, flowering plants, herbs, pollinators, and other agricultural products, many of which will be used in Hamilton’s school lunch program and available for purchase during the spring plant sale in March. This greenhouse is not just a structure; it is a symbol of growth, learning, and sustainability. It represents a commitment to students and the future of education. This greenhouse is not just for Hamilton students; it is for the community. Hamilton continues to cut through the boundaries of traditional education. This greenhouse will serve as a place for students to engage in hands-on learning experiences that will prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.
Why is this day so special to Hamilton schools? Because six short years ago the Hamilton school board was deciding each year whether to keep the doors open one more additional year. At that time students and parents wanted more for their school; mainly more course offerings. But what could Hamilton schools offer that makes it different? That makes it stand out from the other two larger schools in the county? Students expressed the desire to have a Farm to School program….one that raised its own animals and grew its own food. The idea was presented to the school board and the approval was given to do some research. Students enrolled in Mrs. Nelson’s ag class spent several weeks researching and developing fliers, pamphlets, and a powerpoint presentation to present their ideas, budgets, business plan, and sustainability of the program. With the enrollment being at 56 students, the school budget did not allow additional funds to be spent towards this program, so students needed to raise their own funds. The students hosted several community meetings presenting their ideas and various ways individuals and businesses could offer support. Supporters showed up big, donating in excess of $27,000 in one month! This was the start of not only saving the school but also the start of something special for Hamilton schools.
Over the last five years, the school has added a livestock barn, chicken coop, and now a new greenhouse that was finished earlier this school year. All of these sit right out the back doors of the two schools on the USD 390 campus. Through the Farm to School program, students in PreK-12 are provided opportunities for classroom and laboratory instruction, leadership development, and experiential learning which all combine to offer students a well-rounded education that will prepare them for college and the workforce, as well as teach them how to be educated consumers. The beef that is raised and the chicken eggs that are collected not only are used in the school lunch program but are available for purchase through the school. The greenhouse will be used to raise produce and herbs that will supplement the lunch program as well as vegetables and plants for the annual plant sale that takes place each March. This plant sale, along with another one in September, provides the revenue for the sustainability of the FFA and Farm to School program each year.
“The many students before us who had the dream, the passion and the perseverance to start this journey have paved the way for a great hands-on educational experience for many students. In addition, we are thankful to have a driven and passionate advisor in Mrs. Natalie Boone who is willing to do whatever it takes to continue to provide us with opportunities and educational experiences. It’s always a GREAT day to be a TIGER!!” -submitted by Reporter Nelson
