October 25, 2015
Sophmore Lane Reinach collects the leftover hay from last years pen. Removing the hay is the first step in preparing the pens. “It allows the animals to have someplace to stay,” Reinarch said.
The early morning sun rises, casting shadows and light onto the students. Wheelbarrows filled with sand and lumber cross paths with students leading goats and other farm animals to their pens. The tractor rumbles with a start as scents of burnt gasoline and early morning hay fill the air. It’s a work day for the FFA students of Bowie.
“We dig out the back of the pens to get rid of the sand and hay from last years pigs,” sophomore Shane Lockhoof said. “We then move in new sand and set up the walls and gates to all the pens.”
Lockhoof details the work students do on the pen set up work day.
“Students learn how much work went into making their pens and what a good healthy pen for a pig should look like,” Lockhoof said.
Setting up the pens is an important part of FFA as they house their animals for the entire year in the pens they built.
“The students learn about work ethics, responsibility, and most importantly team-work,” agriculture teacher Brad Pierce said.
The work day instills important knowledge and lessons for the students. Whether it be lifting heavy pieces of gate for the pins, or starting and working the Kubota tractor, FFA students learn valuable lessons on working together as an effective group.
“Its an exciting day for the students because they know once the pens are set up then comes the show pigs,” Pierce said.
The work day is an exciting time as it’s the first step in raising the pigs and different animals for competition.
“It allows people to come together, everybody is so nice, and friendly, and just happy to share information,” junior Shaye Elliot said.
The work day enables the students to get together and be with their friends while also getting crucial work done for FFA.
“The work day benefits the students by getting them into the swing of things and gets them used to putting in time and work for their animals,” Lockhoof said.
“I like seeing the dedication and excitement of the students on the work day,” Pierce said.
As the FFA students set up their pens it allows an exciting part of their year to begin; A year full of dedication and responsibility that comes along with raising an animal.
The sun shines brighter and hotter as the work day comes to a close. Dust is patted off boots and shirts. Students laugh and talk in groups around bottled water and snacks. They say their goodbyes and leave in their cars, vacating the barn which patiently awaits the work of next time.
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