Spring has sprung in the Yampa Valley, as we start to see the small little promise of green grass starting to emerge from the white snow banks, so is the excitement in our Agricultural Education Programs in the Yampa Valley.

As classes are in complete swing finishing projects, greenhouses are full of bedding plants and vegetable starters. Both programs are starting 4th quarter of the year. This will get included planning final projects, earning certifications and competing in multiple different FFA events.

Some of the competitive events that Routt County youth compete in the Colorado State FFA Career Development events, including Vet Science, Ag Sales, Floriculture, Ag Mechanics, Livestock Evaluation, Food Science, Meat Evaluation and Land Evaluation to showcase their knowledge in potential career areas.

At home, Hayden and Soroco Agriculture Education Programs will have their local plant sales starting in May. There is a great variety of hanging baskets, perennials, annuals and vegetable
starters that students have cultivated.

Each program, Plant Science class, has started and cared for these plants in their new greenhouses. On top of the greenhouse, both programs have been actively using and enhancing learning through their Food Products Lab in preparing food products for multiple school and community events and instilling life skills.

In addition to the significant successes in the classroom and in building young entrepreneurs, Hayden and Soroco would like to highlight the achievements of our students in their supervised agricultural experiences.

Twelve Routt County FFA members will receive their State FFA Degree this June in Pueblo for their dedication to personal growth, premier leadership, and career success.

These students had to productively invest and earn $2500 or work over 750 hours in agriculture, perform more than 25 hours of community service, and be active leaders in their community.

The Hayden recipients are JD Case, Triston Day, Samantha Franklin and Jace Smith. The Soroco recipients are Tim Bedell, Alyvia Cox, Alaina Edwards, Ava Elshire, Kendall Gibson,
Lyla Raffay and Molly Smith.

Both chapters are incredibly proud of these students and their achievements. They will host their annual awards banquets in the coming weeks. Hayden will host their third annual parent
member banquet on 6:30 p.m. May 7 at the Hayden Schools Gymnatorium.

The Agricultural Education Program is exceptionally thankful for all the support the community has given to both programs and the investment you make in developing students in the Yampa
Valley.