Those who aren't directly associated with it may not fully appreciate the value of agriculture. Not only do members of the Grassland FFA Club at Garden Spot High School (GSHS) understand the importance of agriculture and its byproducts, they embrace it.

"I think agriculture is important," said Autumn Means, junior reporter in GSHS' Grassland FFA Club. "It's used in our everyday lives. It helps produce the food we eat, the clothes we wear and other products."

"You can't live a single day without coming into contact with something related to agriculture," said Zoey Houck, junior vice president of the club. "For me, I love advocating as much as I possibly can. I think some people don't know how things come into their lives."

An intracurricular program, Grassland FFA Club combines elements of the agriculture classroom and extracurricular activities. Grassland FFA Club meets every school day at GSHS for 30 minutes during an advisory period.

"I would call it a club, but it's also part of our curriculum," said Meagan Beam, who's been an adviser of the Grassland FFA Club and an agriculture teacher at the high school for three years. "We meet during class time. Our goal is to teach students about careers in agriculture. But it's also about soft skills as well."

During meeting times, Grassland FFA Club students plan events, work on speeches, search out community service projects and play educational games. The club also regularly visits retirement communities, conducts recruitment and outreach exercises, celebrates awards and degree nights and even constructs decorated floats for local holiday parades.

"Community service is a big part of what we do," said Zoey. "We look for things to do in the community."

"It allows us to get out of the classroom," said Beam, "and get out into the community. We're all consumers of agriculture products. We need that industry."

Nearly 120 agriculture students are members of the Grassland FFA Club. About 40 of those students make up the core of the club.

"They come from all walks of life," said Beam. "They're students who are looking for something different, and they're looking for hands-on experiences. They're just students who thought it sounded fun or interesting."

"The basics of what we are teaching come from within the agriculture focus," added Beam. "But we hope they learn way more than that. We just want them to be successful in the career paths they choose, and we want to help them reach that."

"It helps get you out of your comfort zone," said Autumn. "Joining FFA has definitely brought me out of my shell. It really does prepare you for life after high school."

Eastern Lancaster County is a wonderful agricultural community located in the heart of a county that is rich in farming tradition. As the agricultural industry has evolved over the last few centuries, so have the number and types of career opportunities within the field.

"It's very widespread," said Beam. "We have graduates who are in large animal programs. We have some who went to the family farm. Forestry is pretty big too. We have a large group who goes to college, and we have others who explore local opportunities."

"There are so many aspects with FFA," said Zoey. "It helps me with public speaking. I think it's helped me to grow, excel and with becoming an adult."

"I think agriculture is for everyone," said Autumn. "It's not just for people who want to be farmers. There are a lot of different paths you can go in."

Formerly Future Farmers of America, FFA can trace its roots at GSHS to 1959 and the efforts of teacher Bob Herr. The club's title was meant to honor its association with New Holland Machine and its hay tools division.

"When it was founded, the club included a program in forestry with woodworking," said Beam, "and they built a greenhouse on the property. I think as technology has changed, so has our school system and so has this program."