Dozens of Living to Serve projects are underway during the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo that aim to help communities around Indianapolis.
On Oct. 24, non-profit Living Lands and Waters facilitated a service project at Eagle Creek Park with the Tractor Supply Company Foundation and Cargill, which encouraged FFA members to get out of the city and into nature.
“We’re doing something that’s good for this park here temporarily for them to experience,” says Dan Breidenstein with Living Lands and Waters. “Then, hopefully they end up bringing this back to their hometowns and can share that.”
While they were getting their hands dirty cleaning up the park, FFA members were encouraged to have a great time, too. Living Lands and Waters staff members played music to hype everyone up, and volunteers were encouraged to work together to make a difference.
“It’s kind of boring, hard and monotonous work,” says Callie Schaser, the communications specialist with Living Lands. “But why not get a good groove in your head and in the moment?”
According to Alli Chesky, a strategic account manager with Cargill and FFA Alumna, this service project coincides with FFA motto of “Living to Serve.”
“We’re here, we’re doing it,” Chesky says. “I know multiple states are in attendance at this event, so the camaraderie that will be built amongst the students around that common goal of living to serve is showing up really strong.”
Throughout the project, FFA members were motivated to help clean up the park because they care for both humans and animals in the community.
“If we clean up the environment, more people want to come out here and help, too,” says Bay FFA member Anna Rolland. “Not only is it better for us, but it’s better for the animals.”
Southern Cayuga FFA member Cennedi McCarthy says she likes knowing she’s making a difference, even if it might not be obvious to all visitors of the park.
“People aren’t normally walking through here,” she says. “But knowing that we’re still making a difference, even in places that people aren’t necessarily seeing, is really rewarding to a farmer.”
Breidenstein says helping with projects like this may help FFA members find a new passion in the process.
“We like to say if you find your passion … keep that spark alive in that flame because you can have a huge impact,” she adds. “You don’t know what that ripple is going to lead to.”
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