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Jun 30, 2023

Blennerhassett FFA presents bookshelf to Mineral Wells Elementary

May 27, 2023 Mineral Wells Elementary School has received a new Book Barn

May 27, 2023

Mineral Wells Elementary School has received a new Book Barn bookcase from the Blennerhassett FFA Chapter and the Agriculture Education Courses at the Wood County Technical Center. From left, Assistant Principal Kim Vannoy, FFA members Bodee Walters, Remington Blair and Brayden Sampson and Principal Melissa Powers. (Photo Provided)

MINERAL WELLS — The Blennerhassett FFA Chapter and the Agriculture Education Courses at the Wood County Technical Center presented a Book Barn bookcase and children's book series about the agricultural industry to Mineral Wells Elementary School.

Accepted by Principal Melissa Powers and Assistant Principal Melissa Vannoy, delivery culminated a semester-long service project by FFA members Remington Blair, Bryant Lucas, Braydon Sampson, Josh Steele and Bodee Walters.

As members of the Leadership Class during the spring semester, the group was tasked with designing and building the Book Barn, compiling a small library of books and collaborating with the administration at Mineral Wells Elementary School to make the project come to fruition.

The bookcase reflects a traditional barn design and color scheme as well as a silhouette of the FFA emblem provided by local FFA supporters Kent Welding Inc. The intent is to encourage youth to take an interest in agriculture, the country's largest industry.

The inventory of books includes animal production, soil science, forestry, orchard production and maple sugaring.

"We picked books that show the massive diversity of agriculture and those that don't reflect the negative stereotypes of agriculture," Braydon Sampson, a group member to took a lead role in selecting the books provided by the FFA, said.

Many children's books that depict farmers are over simplified, he said.

"Our industry is so much more complex than overalls and a pitchfork," Sampson said.

Jeremy Greene, the Blennerhassett FFA Chapter adviser and agriculture education instructor, said the project was an effort to increase understanding and agriculture literacy in the community.

"As our culture has distanced itself from agriculture, we have a significant hole in our understanding of what agriculture is, where our food comes from, and the people who work in the industry," Greene said. ".We can complain about the problem, or we can try to change it. And change comes locally, and within our own communities."

The group is hopeful the project continues in the future and the FFA Chapter can work with other elementary schools to bring agriculture education to a larger audience.

The Blennerhassett FFA is a school-based youth organization of students in agriculture education classes at the Wood County Technical Center. For more information, go to Blennerhassett FFA on Facebook, Instagram or its website http://blennerhassettffa.theaet.com/.

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