Octorara students to continue tradition

In the 1980s, the National Future Farmers of America organization, now called the National FFA Organization, encouraged students to drive their tractors to school as the culmination of the celebration of National FFA Week. Today, that tradition continues.

Locally, the Octorara Junior-Senior High School FFA chapter will present "Drive Your Tractor to School Day" on Friday, April 21. Students are being asked to park their tractors on Highland Road across from the high school between 7 and 8 a.m. Tractors will be judged, and the best overall tractor will win a prize.

According to Helena Martin, Octorara FFA adviser, the Octorara chapter has held the event in years past, with a break in 2022. "A lot of FFAs around the country still do this," she stated. "We normally do it during FFA Week, but the weather is not always the best, so we (chose) April before planting season starts when people need their tractors."

Martin said a variety of tractors have been on display in past years, and the machines are visible from the Octorara Primary Learning Center and the Octorara elementary and intermediate schools. "We have had classic antique tractors and super big modern tractors," she said. "They park across the street from the high school, so the kids can see them coming in. Everyone slows down to watch. It is something to see."

The event provides students of all ages an opportunity to see a tractor close up. "Teachers bring their classes over and look at them," Martin noted. "(Youngsters) see tractors in a field working, but not up close."

According to http://www.ffa.org, the organization prepares students for careers in the agriculture industry by providing them with hands-on experiences and opportunities to develop their leadership skills. FFA also welcomes those who plan future careers as teachers, scientists, business owners and more.

The name of the organization was updated in 1988 after a vote by national convention delegates to reflect new career opportunities in agriculture. "We have approximately 50 members," Martin said. "(FFA) gets kids to understand it's not just about farming."

FFA members participate in the FFA Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program, which is designed to help them gain real-world experience. SAE projects can include raising livestock, growing crops or starting a business such as dog walking or lawn care.

"Two years ago (on Drive Your Tractor to School Day), two ag mechanic students (drove in) tractors they bought themselves. They had these old John Deeres that they worked on, so for those kids, it tied in with their classroom curriculum," said Martin. "Every FFA student has to have an SAE project. For their project, they restored tractors."

Martin encourages local residents to check out the tractor display on April 21. "(Drivers should) leave themselves plenty of time in case they get stuck behind a tractor," she said with a smile.

For more information about the Octorara FFA and its activities, visit http://www.facebook.com/FFAOctorara.