Pateros FFA hits fair circuit, judging contests, community projects

PATEROS – There is never a lack of projects for FFA members at Pateros High School, said FFA advisor Lyle Blackburn.
Following several years of rebuilding and refurbishing picnic tables burned at Alta Lake State Park in the 2014 Carlton Complex wildfire, FFA students have taken on some new projects with the park this year.
The Pateros shop course will include making signs, mile markers and small engine repair for the park this spring, said Blackburn.
“We look forward to the Okanogan Livestock Judging Contest hosted by the Sunny Okanogan Angus Ranch,” Blackburn said of the upcoming spring event.
Sunny Okanogan Angus was founded by the Vejraska family in 1961 and in 2009 began hosting livestock judging competitions for FFA members from around the state. Prizes are sponsored courtesy of the Cattle Producers of Washington. In 2015 Sunny Okanogan hosted more than 130 students from around the state.
Blackburn said he had a good turnout of FFA students at last September’s Okanogan County Fair.
“Many students competed in the livestock, agronomy, and produce judging competitions,” Blackburn said.
From the Okanogan Fair, Pateros FFA students next attended the Central Washington State Fair in Yakima during he final week of September 2017.
“Six students were involved in the Livestock Judging contest,” said Blackburn. We were in the middle of the pack in our judging, coming in 37th out of 60 teams.”
Pateros also sent 10 students to the District Apple Judging contest in Manson as well as the State Apple Judging in Richland last fall.
“We were allowed to take five students,” said Blackburn. “We earned a 14th place out of 30 teams present.”
Among the ongoing fundraisers that involve Pateros FFA students is the annual aluminum can drive.
“We gather cans at Alta Lake, and other spots here in town to raise money for various activities throughout the year,” Blackburn said.
Pateros FFA also provides barbecue concessions at various community events during the year.
A new activity this spring for shotgunners among the FFA group with be a competitive trap shooting team, Blackburn said.