What’s the first thing you think of when you think of fall? Leaves falling off the trees? Decorations popping up everywhere for Halloween? Smashing pumpkins?
Kentucky FFA has a variety of activities that chapters host throughout the year. Most events are meant to promote FFA and get new members to join and take an agriculture class; however, some of these events take another approach and try to promote agriculture and get their community involved. For instance, several chapters in Kentucky host tractor pulls, auctions and large farm-to-table dinners to get their community involved and raise money to benefit their chapter.
The goal of some of these events can also involve giving back to the community or a specific group of people. Pulaski County FFA is an example of one of these chapters. They have created a smash hit of an event.
Clinton Corner in action, preparing to smash pumpkins.
Three years ago, Pulaski County FFA came up with an idea to give back to fellow chapter members’ families who have faced cancer. The chapter wanted to have the event around Halloween, which led them to create their “Smash Cancer” pumpkin event. This event partners with several organizations, such as Team Gina, the American Cancer Society and more, to make it a success.
Pulaski County FFA getting the pumpkins.
Clinton Corner, a senior FFA member from Pulaski County FFA, has been involved with this activity since the start. This year, he serves as the chapter president and says, “The entire event is sponsor-funded.” He also said his chapter created a special committee for the event.
Corner’s chapter partners with several farms to get the supplies and pumpkins necessary for the big smash. Attendees can also buy a pie at the event and “pie” an agriculture teacher or officer in the face (pictured below).
The “pieing” of officers and advisors in action.
This year, the pumpkin smash will take place on Friday, Nov. 8, at Pulaski County High School. There, attendees can buy hot chocolate, T-shirts and, of course, pay to smash a pumpkin with a handmade mallet or throw it off of their band tower to raise awareness for cancer. All of this goes to help support the chapter and raise awareness about cancer in its community.
A Pulaski County FFA member gathers pumpkins at the tower to get smashed.
If you are interested in finding out more about the pumpkin smash or details about this event, visit the Pulaski County FFA Facebook or Instagram pages.
