Grass wildfires in March ravaged rural farm areas in several states across the Great Plains. Farmers, ranchers and many others in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas lost livestock, equipment, buildings and much more. According to the USDA, the disaster created immediate need for large quantities of hay, feed, fencing materials and other supplies.
Courtesy Stover FFA
Since then, many agricultural organizations have put together programs that offer relief to those affected and FFA chapters across the country have been helping every part of the way. It’s been a wonderful example of how FFA members and chapters embrace the idea of giving back to our communities by living out the final line of the FFA motto: Living to Serve.
Here’s just a sampling of the ways FFA chapters from across the nation have been helping out (and don’t miss the information at the bottom about how you can help):
Stover FFA Chapter, Missouri
Courtesy Stover FFA
Members of the Stover FFA Chapter collected 180 bales of hay, 13,000 pounds of feed, 30 pallets of bottled water plus fencing supplies and cash donations.
Hopkins FFA Chapter, Michigan
The Hopkins FFA chapter is collecting money to sponsor bags of feed to be sent out west to help feed the calves that…
Posted by Hopkins FFA Alumni on Monday, March 20, 2017
About 23 trucks pulled out of Wayland Hopkins Livestock Sale Barn this morning (Thursday, April 6) on their way to…
Posted by Allegan County News on Thursday, April 6, 2017
Chaparral FFA Chapter, Kansas
15 students and advisors from the Chaparral, Kansas, FFA volunteered their time to help a rancher in Ashland, Kansas…
Posted by Red Brand Fence on Friday, March 31, 2017
Leedey FFA Chapter, Oklahoma
UPDATE: Red Brand Wildfire Relief FFA ChallengeLEEDEY, OKLAHOMA FFA – Members of the Leedey, Oklahoma, FFA Chapter…
Posted by Red Brand Fence on Thursday, April 6, 2017
Spring Hill FFA Chapter, Kansas
The Spring Hill FFA Chapter raised more than $1,000 through donations and shirt sales. The FFA: Healing the Heartland campaign raised money for the victims of the wildfires in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.
North Central FFA, Ohio
Safe travels to the local convoy headed to Kansas and Oklahoma! Agriculture is a family business and the outpouring of relief from farmers around the country proves it!
Posted by North Central FFA on Thursday, April 6, 2017
Stockton FFA Chapter, Kansas
Check out these #KSFFA members demonstrating what #LivingToServe means!
Posted by Kansas FFA Association on Thursday, March 23, 2017
Chelsea FFA Chapter, Oklahoma
Our Chapter Spotlight comes from the Oklahoma FFA Association and the Chelsea FFA chapter. The chapter sent a group of…
Posted by The AET on Friday, March 31, 2017
Rolla FFA Chapter, Missouri
The Rolla FFA Chapter is so proud of these boys. Between school, FFA, and work they are using their day-off to take hay…
Posted by Rolla FFA Chapter on Saturday, March 11, 2017
Perkins FFA Chapter, Oklahoma
Payne County Farm Bureau board member and Perkins High School ag teacher Brad Chapman and his FFA students joined other…
Posted by Oklahoma Farm Bureau on Thursday, April 6, 2017
El Reno FFA Chapter, Oklahoma
El Reno FFA T-Post Drive for wildfire victims in NW Oklahoma continues…extending the deadline until 9am Friday morning! Great opportunity to help our neighbors!
Posted by El Reno FFA on Thursday, March 23, 2017
Kansas FFA Association
In response to the recent Starbuck fire disaster, many chapters are truly demonstrating the meaning of "Living to Serve….
Posted by Kansas FFA Association on Saturday, March 25, 2017
FFA sponsor Red Brand has been very active in both offering assistance through the Red Brand Relief Program that offers both fence rebates and installation assistance, plus promoting how various FFA chapters are helping.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has put together an extensive list of resources that will help direct relief efforts in Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas – including efforts from non-affected states.
Is your FFA chapter helping out? Be sure to share on social media to show how your members are making a difference!
