“Today’s Technology – Yesterday’s Values” a slogan any Kansan from Wilson to Cheney could recite, a company willing to provide what’s best for the community. A company our newly installed FFA program is making tremendous leaps with this year by pairing with them, Central Prairie Co-op. The Co-op has been gracious enough to donate ground to our FFA to help with practical training ,learning to use the tools that support agriculture today. They purchased the plot in July of this year; Central Prairie is not only providing ground, but the necessary seed and crop inputs for our FFA to get a start on the property. In addition, the output for the FFA program is not only a new way to further knowledge, but the funds they derive from the crops will be used to financially support the FFA program. This wonderful group has said they are also willing to draw on their employees to share their expertise and help support with Mr. Wohler’s lessons.
“We are proud to help sponsor the Little River FFA Program, in addition to many other groups throughout Central Prairie Co-op’s trade area. For us, it is a way of giving back to those communities we serve, and specifically with youth programs, helps build relationships for the future,” says Dale Buxman, a Field and Sales Agronomist for Central Prairie. Central Prairie, like all farmers, is anticipating the future, they realize there will always be a be a demand for food, “The future of agriculture and companies serving the industry are going to need employees with a good background in both practical and technical aspects of ag production,” Buxman. With the platform they are giving our FFA, they hope to one day earn it back, by relationships with those they provided services to. Brent Garrison, Superintendent of the USD 444 District firmly believes these types of relationships are critical for public education, “I am very excited about the newly formed partnership with Central Prairie Co-op. It is critical for the success of our schools and the success of our students to get practical hands on learning, with first hand opportunities to hear from experts in the field that are actually experiencing it day to day. On behalf of USD 444 I want to say thank you for your support to make our schools the best they can be.”
As a school district in a rural and agriculturally rich community it’s important for our schools to design opportunities for our students to explore careers in agriculture. Audrey Herbst, principal of Littler River Junior Senior High School highlights the importance of such, "Community support and partnerships between community and school are considered characteristics that are common to high-performing schools. Partnerships between community and school give our students an opportunity to establish a sense of pride and contribution to the community. This partnership will also enhance opportunities for prosperity of our community and our FFA program for years to come. We appreciate Central Prairie Co-op's generous donation for the sake of learning and the benefits our community may receive from the service of our students."
Jaret Wohler, the FFA sponsor, “Little River High School and Little River FFA are very thankful for Central Prairie Co-op giving us the use of 4 acres of land as an experimental farm. We are very excited to be working with Central Prairie Co-op. I believe this partnership is a great opportunity for our students to gain real world knowledge about what kinds of decisions are made in today's agricultural industries, as well as being able to learn from industry experts in the community.” As our FFA launches their start with this new way of learning, we wish them best of luck, plenty of rain, and safe harvest.