Chelan Future Farmers of America year starts with Lake Chelan Rodeo

CHELAN – Chelan School District Future Farmers of America (FFA) will celebrate FFA Week in style.

This year, the festivities will take place the week of Feb. 19 thru 22. Starting on Tuesday Chelan kids will get the chance to dress in camo, as an agriculturist, a farm animal and will show their FFA by wearing their FFA t-shirts on Friday for a chance to receive a prize for their participation from FFA advisor Bailey Dezellem.

Each year, Chelan FFA participates, organizes and competes in different activities throughout the months.

One of the most popular activities Chelan FFA and alumni are part of is the Lake Chelan Rodeo, which kicks off the year. In 1981 the Chelan FFA Alumni was started with the mission of supporting physically and financially the members and activities of the Chelan FFA Chapter. The Chelan FFA Alumni provides chaperones for trips, judges for contests, guest speakers for classes, help to haul animals, coaches for teams, and dollars for travel scholarships, academic scholarships and SAE project grants. FFA students sign up to help out during the event along with their parents and other volunteers.

In mid-August, the kids start preparing for upcoming fairs, they shear goats and get their personal bios and educational posters to present. Last year, during the North Central Washington Fair, Carlos Venegas won the Grand Champion Market Goat title.

During the 2018 Chelan County Fair, Chelan FFA had the Overall Supreme Showperson, Grand Champion Market Goat, multiple Grand Champion Fitting and Showing, Reserve Grand Market Steer, finalists in Market, finalists in fitting and showing, and plenty of blue ribbon showpeople.

Another 2018 highlight for Chelan FFA was the December State Apple Evaluation. The team representing Chelan FFA took fifth place statewide. The students were required to complete in a multitude of tasks including identifying pests, blemishes, varieties, as well as grade apples, pressure test, and more.

In January, Chelan FFA hosted the annual Lake Chelan Horticulture Day at the high school. Now, the kids are gearing up for the 2019 Chelan High School Plant Sale which will be May 2-4.