FFA is no stranger to tradition. Several FFA chapters across the country have stood the test of time and built a legacy by having several generations of members pass through agriculture classroom doors.
Spencer County FFA is no exception. In 1990, it held its first farm toy show, which included more than 45 tables of toy tractors, combines, and other scaled-down farm toys. That first year attracted more than 250 parents and children in attendance. During its two-day run this past year, the chapter exceeded 2,000 people who visited the show in Taylorsville, Ky.
This year’s attendees browse the show.
The idea for this farm toy show began with an FFA member named Jason Karrer. He had visited a toy show in Indiana and thought it would be a great event to host as a fundraiser for his chapter.
FFA member Jason Kerrer poses behind one of his farmscapes.
So, Karrer began planning where the tables would be located and what the layout would look like for the show. According to his plans, the chapter would work with its school’s athletic department and utilize the school gym to hold the tables of toys. His chapter later received acceptance from the school district to keep the toy show going. Karrer’s hardest challenge when starting this project was putting his idea into action.
Year after year, Spencer County’s farm toy show grew—and so did the crowd. Several additions were made to the show, including craft tables, a model farmscape competition and a visit from Santa. More recently, the show added a farmer appreciation table that gives out free bags of popcorn featuring the Raising Hope logo to promote awareness of farmer suicide.
Spencer County FFA members hand out popcorn at the farmer appreciation booth.
Farm toy show attendees visit with Santa.
The farmscape addition is a competition between Spencer County FFA members. The goal is to design and bring a model farm to the school and compete to see which is voted the People’s Choice by show attendees. The show’s organizers have also started promoting it in local newspapers and the Toy Farmer magazine.
Kerrer hands out the 2024 People’s Choice award to the winner of the farmscape contest.
As the son of a former Spencer County FFA member, it’s always been a joy to attend the farm toy show, see all the different displays and walk away with some new farm toys to play with on the ride home.
My dad’s farmscape creation.
My dad, Ryan, designed and presented a display at one of the farm toy shows when he was in FFA (see above). This family tradition continued with my brother, Avery, this past December when he presented his display and received a plaque for his efforts.
My brother Avery’s award-winning farmscape was displayed at the recent farm toy show.
Spencer County FFA hopes to continue the farm toy show in the future, long past its upcoming 35th anniversary. The next show is scheduled for Dec. 12-13, 2025, at Spencer County High School in Taylorsville, Ky.
