Bridger Wolfley (left) and Star Valley FFA Student Advisor Sam Bramwell (right) paint a chapter coop in preparation for new birds.
In the western region of Wyoming, within the mountainous heart of Lincoln County, Star Valley FFA President Bridger Wolfley is here to leave an impact on his community before he graduates.
Now in his fourth year of FFA, 17-year-old Wolfley started his Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) journey with wether bred show does and market goats. But after medical problems emerged within his family, Wolfley found his true passion when past Wyoming FFA State Reporter Afton Stewart introduced him to the world of poultry production through the poultry evaluation career development event (CDE).
“When she convinced me to try out poultry judging, I fell in love with these birds and this industry,” he says.
Soon after, Wolfley tried showing rabbits for the first time and was immediately enthralled with how different and exciting the industry was. After downsizing from a flock of 110 birds, Wolfley currently runs an operation averaging 30 laying hens and six Rex breeding rabbits.
“Recently, I’ve been working with my chapter to construct rabbit hutches for our small animal farm,” he says. “At school, we currently have two Rex breeding rabbits and 10 different laying hens.”
Wolfley credits most of his success to his parents. “They’re not only my biggest supporters but also my biggest role models.” Being one of seven children, he decided to follow in his parents’ footsteps in agriculture as he develops a deep love for the industry and advocates for its importance.
“Agriculture used to be one of the most important parts of the Valley,” he says. “As kids slowly lose sight of how vital it truly is, keeping programs like FFA alive is one of my major goals for my high school career.”
As a current senior, the end of Wolfley’s time in FFA is slowly creeping around the corner. He’s decided to use the time he has left to make a difference through partnering with the Afton Food Bank.
On his school’s farm, 70% of the chapter-raised rabbit meat, poultry meat and eggs are donated to the food bank to feed the community. The remaining 30% of products are sold to members of the community as a fundraiser. Last year, the Afton Food Bank and the Star Valley FFA served more than 3,000 individuals. Since 2016, the partnership has served more than 33,700 individuals.
Wolfley also plans to donate half of his operation’s proceeds to the food bank this year and sell part of his animals to keep his flock and rabbitry running.
In hopes of keeping agriculture alive in his community, Wolfley says educating just one person every day would allow him to reach 365 people every year. As he likes to tell his chapter, this is the blue corduroy jacket story and our way of life.
Find out about other types of SAEs here to start making a difference in your chapter!
