Utica FFA held the first Ag League meeting in September 2022.
In the small rural town of Utica, Ohio, the Utica FFA Chapter needed a way to incorporate middle school students into their existing agriculture program. With only one agriculture teacher at the time, there were not enough periods or time to allow all of the middle school students to enroll in an agriculture class. Utica FFA Advisor Mr. Hickman and Melinda Wesley, a student at Utica and FFA member, came up with a way to incorporate middle school students into their agriculture program.
Middle school students learn about swine ear notching at an Ag League meeting.
What Is Ag League?
Hickman and Wesley invented the idea of the Ag League. The Ag League program is a middle school group that holds monthly meetings and hosts FFA and agriculture-related activities. Much like the “Justice League,” students are discovering their superpowers in agriculture. With the help of the Utica FFA officer team and other members, the Ag League was a hit after their first meeting in September 2022. Fifteen Utica Middle School students attended the first Ag League meeting. Now, Ag League sees upwards of 30 middle school students attending the monthly meetings.
Growing the Chapter
Since the start of the Ag League program, interest in FFA has flourished throughout Utica Middle School. At the beginning of the 2023-24 school year, Utica FFA added a second agriscience educator and FFA advisor. Utica’s second advisor primarily teaches middle school students.
Ag League members are excited to learn about swine ear notching.
Ag League’s Impact
The first members of the Ag League program are now actively involved in the Utica FFA Chapter. This year, two past Ag League members are now Utica FFA chapter officers. Many past members are state career development event finalists and active in chapter and county-level activities.
Jacob Stretton, a past Ag League member, FFA member and chapter officer, said, “Going to Ag League gave me a good look as to what FFA is and has to offer. Ag League encouraged me to become a chapter officer and expand my view on FFA.”
Ag League has allowed students at Utica Middle School to expand their knowledge of agriculture while learning about the National FFA Organization. Utica FFA hopes to continue Ag League for many years to come.
