McKenzie FFA Visit Rotary Club

McKENZIE (December 2) — Members of the McKenzie High School Future Farmers of America Chapter visited McKenzie Rotary Club on Tuesday, December 2 to speak about the modern-day curriculum in agriculture, special projects in which they work, and what their plans are for the upcoming growing seasons.

The McKenzie High School FFA chapter, led by instructor Ms. Lindsay Parham, is revitalizing its agriculture program with hands-on projects that engage students and serve the community. The program has evolved significantly since its early days, replacing an old, dilapidated greenhouse with a modern, handicap-accessible facility in 2014, now known as the Ben T. Surber Agricultural Complex.

The FFA program emphasizes practical experience through a variety of innovative projects:

Greenhouse Operations: Students cultivate and sell spring plants, including flowers and vegetables, as a key fundraiser. This includes creating large decorative baskets for events like Mother’s Day.

Irrigated Mum Mat: The chapter constructed an irrigated mat to grow approximately 260 mums each fall. This efficient, low-maintenance system uses a timer and can deliver fertilizer and fungicides directly to the plants.

Hydroponics: A portion of the greenhouse was converted to house a Dutch bucket hydroponic system. Students grow tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers, which are donated to the school cafeteria. They also manage a vertical grow tower for lettuce inside the classroom, learning to test and adjust pH and nutrient levels.

Animal Husbandry: Students learn animal care by hatching chicks and raising them in a mobile chicken coop. These projects provide students with a direct connection to agriculture, many of whom are disconnected from farm life despite living in a rural area.

Soil Science: Through hands-on labs, students collect soil samples from various locations—such as adjacent cotton and athletic fields—to analyze and compare nutrient levels.

The FFA chapter actively collaborates with the community and other educational institutions:

Fall Frenzy: To promote their mum sales and connect with the community, the FFA hosts a “Fall Frenzy” event featuring a petting zoo with animals like a donkey, puppies, and a chinchilla.

Downtown Beautification: In partnership with the city, students planted and maintained the large, self-watering pots in downtown McKenzie.

UT Martin Dual Enrollment: The program offers a dual enrollment course with the University of Tennessee at Martin. Students can earn college credit by participating in labs at the UTM campus, covering topics such as turfgrass management and plant pathology under the guidance of Dr. Wes Totten.

Industry Certification: All students in the agriculture program work toward their OSHA 10 General Industry certification, earning a valuable credential.

The program has, in the past, offered boater and hunter education courses. By combining modern agricultural techniques with community service and career development, the McKenzie FFA is building a robust program that prepares students for the future.

Rotary President Ricky Price expressed an interest in the local service club partnering with the FFA on local projects.