K-W caps off FFA week with tractor parade

The parking lot at Kenyon-Wanamingo High School looked a bit different than usual Friday.

K-W FFA students participated in Drive Your Tractor to School Day, parking machines of all shapes and sizes in a neat row in the lot. At the end of the day, students climbed aboard and paraded their tractors along Sixth Street.

One by one, they exited the parking lot, flying the American flag and FFA flag in the wind. A crowd of teachers and students gathered on the sidewalk in front of the school to watch their classmates cruise past.

The parade capped off the school’s FFA week. The festivities included several activities for younger students. Earlier in the week, FFA officers visited Kenyon-Wanamingo Elementary School to teach the kids about agriculture. Other events included a scavenger hunt and a petting zoo for the fifth through seventh graders.

FFA held its year-end banquet on Sunday, celebrating the highlights of their season.

Dakota VanLanen, FFA advisor at K-W, organized a Drive Your Tractor to School Day last year, but the parade was a new addition this time.

According to VanLanen, roughly 40 current students participate in FFA, but members may continue participating after graduation, bringing their total membership closer to 50.

National FFA Week falls in February, but K-W held its celebration off until the spring.

“For a lot of schools in the Midwest, that doesn’t really align with good weather for outdoor activities,” said VanLanen.

Sophomore Matthew Scheffler, one of the students who taught at the elementary school, said it’s been a fun year in FFA. A dairy farmer, like many in K-W FFA, he read a book on cattle to the kids and helped them make ice cream.

Junior Knute Ronningen helped out with the petting zoo earlier in the week, loading a calf into his car. Luckily, the rumbling of the old car lulled the calf to sleep for most of the trip.

Jay Jacobson, also a junior, said he joined FFA because it offered “a lot of opportunities to get to do cool stuff.” The National FFA Convention in Indianapolis was one of the highlights of his year. He and his fellow students attended a variety of educational sessions and toured a large dairy farm. Two years ago, they got to visit the Indianapolis 500 while they were there.

The parade also attracted the interest of community members.

Courtney McGowan was among the attendees, saying she was there to show support for FFA. Two of the tractors in the parade were hers — her son, a senior, brought up the rear in one while one of his friends rode the other. She was accompanied by her younger son Owen, a member of Pine Island FFA, who attended to watch his older brother’s ride, knowing it would be his last with his upcoming graduation.

Courtney highlighted the reciprocal relationship FFA has with the community, each one supporting the other, and the supportive bonds formed between those who participate.

Dan Scheffler, who was there to watch his grandson Matthew in the parade, said FFA helps kids set goals and encourages community service.

All of them expressed the sentiment that it’s important for kids to learn about agriculture, as many people are unfamiliar with the many steps their food goes through before it reaches their dinner table.

“It doesn’t just come from the grocery store,” said Owen.