Patrick, Ava, Jacob, Lyla and Holly Susong.
Meet the Susongs
The Susong family has deep roots in Boone County, Ind., and their journey has recently taken an exciting turn.
This past summer, they launched their summer camp, welcoming incoming first through fifth graders for an immersive agricultural experience. Each day of the camp included a structured schedule featuring an educational portion, a farm-to-table session, outdoor games, STEM activities, crafts, snacks and an indoor game.
Campers also had the opportunity to engage in a variety of farm chores, including feeding and watering livestock, cleaning animal pens and tending to a garden through planting and weeding. A farm-to-table lesson gave campers a deeper understanding of the food industry and allowed them to participate in STEM activities.
Ava and Lyla Susong teach a farm-to-table lesson to campers.
Holly and Patrick Susong bring diverse backgrounds to their endeavors. Holly, a licensed elementary education teacher with a degree from Indiana University — Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), and Patrick, who holds a mechanical engineering degree from Purdue University, have spent more than 22 years raising their three children, Jacob, Ava and Lyla.
Holly and Patrick Susong.
A Legacy of Learning
In 2023, Jacob celebrated a decade of involvement in 4-H and is now thriving as a sophomore at Purdue University. Ava is embracing her senior year of high school and her final chapter in 4-H. Meanwhile, Lyla, a committed member of 4-H, is in eighth grade and has recently embarked on her journey with the National FFA Organization, adding even more depth to her family’s dedication to community engagement.
Ava Susong with her heifer.
Turning Dreams into Reality
For years, the Susongs have been actively involved in raising and caring for their childrens’ 4-H livestock, even before owning their own property. After two decades of dreaming, they finally turned that vision into reality by purchasing 20 acres, building a home, planting crops and bringing their cattle to their land.
Although they recognize there is still much work to be done, they are thrilled by the progress they’ve made in achieving their dreams.
Learning by Doing
The Susong Summer Camp On the Farm is part of Ava Susong’s Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) as a Lebanon FFA member. This four-day camp not only educates youth about agriculture, but it also promotes its importance within the community. Each day had a unique theme, including Beef Cattle Day, Crops and Gardens, Swine and Flower Fun Day.
“This SAE has taught me valuable skills in time management, scheduling, planning and curriculum development,” Ava says.
The camp offers a hands-on opportunity for campers to explore various farm chores. Ava’s responsibilities on the farm are extensive and include training her livestock, lesson planning, teaching students, marketing the camp and designing its website.
Ava Susong teaches campers about animal feed.
Outside the Farm Gates and Looking to the Next Horizon
Outside of her agricultural pursuits, Ava is a dedicated senior at Lebanon High School. Her impressive academic and extracurricular achievements highlight her exceptional time management skills. She ranks among the Top 20 in her class and plays on the varsity volleyball team. Additionally, she serves on the leadership team for Lebanon High School Ambassadors, is a senior class representative for her school’s Key Club, is a proud member of the National Honor Society and so much more!
Ava and Lyla Susong teach campers about horticulture and gardening.
Looking ahead, Ava is eager to attend college and pursue a degree in biology. She believes this SAE experience has equipped her with valuable knowledge and practical skills essential for working with and supporting children, which will be helpful to her future career.
The Susong family journey is just the beginning, and their commitment to the agriculture industry and education will leave a lasting impact on the community. The educational efforts they are putting in will shape the next generation of leaders and agriculturists, which will pave the way for a brighter future and endure for years to come.
