Sarah Jones and Dillan Lerwill pose with their animals at the “Treats on the Streets” event.
The Sugar-Salem FFA Chapter was approached by its city about doing a fundraiser at a yearly Halloween event called “Treats in the Streets.” Every year, Sugar City, Idaho, shuts down Main Street to have games, food vendors and more. This past year, it was looking for something new: a petting zoo.
“Treats in the Streets is one of my favorite things about Sugar City,” says alumni member Emmaline Larson. “It’s really exciting to see the whole city come together to support local businesses and the school.”
Alumni member Dwight Little makes fries for the fundraiser.
A Fan Favorite
When asked to bring a petting zoo, the Sugar-Salem FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter also had the idea of selling fries made from fresh-cut potatoes from their farms. Everyone loved this idea, and Dwight Little (pictured above) helped prepare the fries. The community’s support of eating “Dwight’s Famous Fries” made Sugar-Salem FFA more well-known.
“Dwight’s fries are definitely a fan favorite,” chapter president Addy Pocock said. “Once a month, he comes into our school and makes fries that we are able to sell to our classmates. They all look forward to ‘French Fry Friday.’”
Carter Moore’s cow, Woody, at the petting zoo.
The Petting Zoo
Members Carter Moore, Dillan Lerwill and Sarah Jones shared their Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs) with their town. Moore brought his calves, Woody and Buzz, and explained his nurse cow operation. Lerwill, on the other hand, brought his alpaca and rabbits to showcase his diverse farm with more than 15 different animals. Jones shared how she shows, raises and sells her chickens’ eggs.
“It was really exciting to teach younger kids, and even some adults, about my chickens and what the different breeds are,” says Jones. “Many community members were eager to share stories about their flocks and knowledge about chickens. It was so fun to have them make that connection with me.”
The chapter received many positive responses from the fundraiser. Lerwill said, “The Sugar City community is so supportive in all we do, and we are so grateful to them.”
Looking for more fundraiser ideas for your chapter? Click here to read more FFA in the USA stories.
