It all started with a watermelon plant.
“In 2022, I took a watermelon plant that my agriscience students had grown to the Dover Motor Speedway [in Dover, Del.] and gave it to NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain, an eighth-generation watermelon farmer and a lifetime FFA supporter,” says Joshua Bethard, NASCAR enthusiast and one of the advisors for the Milford FFA, recognized as a 3-star National Chapter for four consecutive years. “I thought he’d get a kick out of it, but I imagined that would be the end of the story.”
Fortunately, Bethard was wrong.
After hearing through the grapevine that Chastain and his team kept the plant alive throughout his racing season, Bethard realized his gesture may have made a bigger impact than he initially thought. He began working to arrange a chapter visit with Chastain the next time he was racing in the area.
“Mr. Chastain was scheduled to race at a track about 20 miles away from our school in April of this year, and he agreed to visit us in Milford,” Bethard says. “It was supposed to be a short visit, but he ended up staying for nearly an hour and a half. It meant the world to our chapter.”
During Chastain’s visit, Milford FFA members took him on a tour of their greenhouse and metal shop and shared what they had in the works, including a spring plant sale and woodworking and welding projects. Chastain also had the opportunity to sample ice cream made by FFA members in their food science lab.
Ultimately, Chastain encouraged students to take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way and to continue to advocate for the agriculture industry.
“Mr. Chastain’s visit was a real full-circle moment for me,” says Milford FFA Secretary Lucy Chorman. “When I was in elementary school, he shared his ‘Protect Your Melon’ message to encourage us to wear our helmets, and I’ve always remembered him. To connect with Mr. Chastain on a deeper level and hear how he has overcome obstacles to reach his goals was truly inspiring. He talked about the importance of believing in yourself and having the courage to share your message with the world, and I know that’s another experience I’ll never forget.”
It’s safe to say Chastain was inspired, too. “I had a great time visiting with Milford High School’s @delaware_ffa students that are pursuing personal growth and career success through agricultural education,” he wrote on Instagram after the visit. “Thanks for the hospitality and the work you are doing in the ag industry and community. Keep up the great work!”
