Nodaway Valley FFA says ‘thank you’ by feeding farmers

The Nodaway Valley FFA chapter has had several opportunities to be immersed in the world of agriculture through the first couple of months of the school year. One of their latest endeavors took them to where farmers are to give back to them for feeding and fueling the world.

Last Thursday, FFA members were stationed at the 21st Century cooperative locations in Fontanelle and Greenfield conducting their second annual “Feed the Farmer.” Farmers hauling grain into those locations were given a free burger meal and the FFA members were able to personally thank the farmers for their hard work all year long. Some meals were delivered to fields wherever farmers were.

Nodaway Valley FFA President Chase Comstock says about 130 meals were served.

“It feels great to give back and helps us understand where our food comes from and the hard work it takes [for it to get to our plates],” Comstock said. “It’s fun for us because we get to catch up with farmers we sometimes don’t get to talk to because they’re so busy. It’s a nice time to catch up with them and gives whoever is normally bringing meals a break.”

The project serving meals to farmers was held fresh off the students’ first-ever harvest of their own. The FFA chapter had a test plot of beans just north of the high school in Greenfield that they harvested last month.

“We really wanted to get into it and it was right at planting time, so we took soil samples and debated on whether we wanted to rip it up or plant right into the soil. We decided to plant right into the soil,” Comstock said.

Local farmer Ash Kading planted the beans for the students in the springtime and helped with spraying. At harvest time, the students received the assistance of local farmer Brad Nelson’s combine to combine the beans. The students received a donation of cover crop from Iowa Cover Crops that will be planted for the winter.

“I think we averaged 40-50 bushels per acre, and for beans, you want around 100. For the first year, there’s room for improvement, and now we know what to do for next year,” said Comstock.

The test plot project this year was led by students Ayden Goetz and Blake Edwards.

“It was a good experience,” Comstock said. “It’s always something I’ve wanted to do. With the help of the chapter and some local farmers, we were able to make it happen.”

A few members of the FFA chapter were spending time this week at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.

The summer didn’t begin how the group expected because of the May 21 tornado, but one thing stuck out to Comstock about that.

“I was really proud because on about every corner, I saw an FFA member or high schooler helping,” Comstock said. “It was great seeing people out volunteering and helping.”