Mansfield students are all-in for National FFA Week

MANSFIELD - Unique among the four schools in the Quad coverage area, Mansfield High School boasts a school farm on ground adjacent to the school building. The farm is still in the process of adding facilities as the demand for student projects determines.

“Our farm has progressed very well,” said Ag instructor Jamey Jo Steele. “We now have six pig pens and one goat pen. Over the years we have purchased new self-feeders for each pig pen and build a pretty nice water system as well.”

Steele said the next phase of farm building will include a permanent area to set up a set of digital livestock scales the school purchased to facilitate weighing animals.

“We also have hopes to build some type of roof, Quonset hut, barn over the top of our existing pens.”

Steele said the school enjoys a good turnout for its Ag and FFA programs.
“We have 18 active members in our FFA Chapter this year,” said Steele. “Eight of them are returning and 10 are new. That is 60 percent of our 9-12 population.”

Mansfield students patronize the North Central Washington Fair in nearby Waterville.

“Last August we had four members with pigs, one member with a goat, and one member with a steer,” said Steele. “I would imagine this year we will see the same with a few more pig projects.”

FFA Week from Saturday, Feb. 16 through Saturday, Feb. 23, is always a big event at this small student body located in the heart of wheat country. Among events planned as the high school again this year are a staff breakfast, Ag Olympics, and Dress Up Days. The staff breakfast is on Friday, Feb. 22. Ag Olympics involve competition between the classes in Ag-like events.

Last month the FFA group hosted a Silent Auction and Pie Sale at the Jan. 26 Homecoming festivities.