The Pella Ag/FFA program has started a new venture. Pella FFA Senior Travis Mitchell says as of October 31st, they have officially started an FFA sheep farm. Funding for this project was made possible through the 2019 Pie Auction/Banquet, Farm Credit Services of America, Two Rivers Cooperative, and Land O’ Lakes, and land for this project was provided by Carol and Elliot Mapes.
Mitchell says the project started with the concept of a Portable Animal Learning Academy by the class of 2020 when they took Ag 2 as sophomores. As a class they wrote a grant, and worked with Justine Stevenson from Farm Credit Services to make sure the project idea was well communicated. It has since evolved into renting land to raise sheep, and with a vision to expand into pigs, turkeys, pheasants, and cattle in the future. Other animal species projects will be added based on the success of previous projects, and funding.
Currently, the freshmen Ag 1 class at Pella High is raising nine lambs through December 12th. This next spring, Pella FFA members can apply to purchase 1-3 of their own sheep to raise on the farm from April-July to prepare for the Marion County Fair or for market.This concept of classes raising in the fall, and FFA members having the opportunity of applying what they have learned with their own animals is anticipated to continue with our future pig, turkey, and beef projects.
Pella FFA parents and alumni who have interest in helping to manage this new venture, or helping to pursue the vision of future livestock projects should contact Bowers.
He thanks the Mapes family, the class of 2020, Farm Credit Services of America, Two Rivers Cooperative, the Fall 2020 Ag Business class, Justine Stevenson, Travis Mitchell, Mike Holdeman, Codi Holdeman, Roy Jahner, Taaf VerMeulen, and Ashley Warren for helping in the first steps of the FFA Livestock Farm Vision, and the Pleasantville FFA, who has shared resources with Pella from their school farm as a model.
Hear more about the project on today’s Let’s Talk Pella.