Norfolk FFA Chapter President Miru Kunst (left), Vice President Gabriella Pannon (middle) and Junior Parliamentarian Jaxon Sennott (right) hold a few completed quilt tops.
Since February break falls during National FFA Week, the Norfolk FFA Chapter from Massachusetts celebrated a week early with many schoolwide festivities.
Given that Norfolk County Agricultural High School (also known as Norfolk Aggie) has a 100% FFA membership, there was no shortage of spirit. Activities ranged from a chapter competition to spirit days and a teacher appreciation event. The chapter’s most notable event, however, was a day of service and collaboration with “A Stitch Toward the Future” (ASTTF) on Monday, Feb. 10.
All materials for the quilts were donated by members of the community.
Learning to Do
ASTTF is a service-learning Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) focused in fiber arts and agricultural education. It started in 2020 when Norfolk FFA Chapter President Miru Kunst began making masks for first responders and low-risk health workers during the pandemic. Now, she creates fiber-based items out of donated and salvaged materials, bringing in a passion for sustainability as an environmental science major at Norfolk Aggie.
These items are donated to local care centers serving expectant mothers, foster children and other community members. To encourage others to get involved with fiber, Kunst also teaches sewing classes to anyone, regardless of need, to bridge the gap between agriculture and the public. Whether through a machine or hand sewing, these classes allow the community to learn where their clothes come from — all while teaching an essential life skill.
Volunteers utilize donated sewing machines to piece squares together.
Living to Serve
In honor of Service Monday, 13 Norfolk FFA members and supporters started their chapter’s FFA Week by trying their hand at sewing. They completed seven quilt tops in just three hours, which are going to be donated to the First Concern Pregnancy Resource Center in Clinton, Mass. Their efforts were even aired on WCVB TV’s Channel 5 that night on the evening news!
