As Fall has started to set into the Yampa Valley the Agricultural Education Programs in Routt County have been packed with a variety of opportunities for students to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success.

Hayden and Soroco Agricultural Education programs have been busy preparing their calendars for the exciting activities.

They started the fall by Soroco hosting the Northwest Colorado Range Contest, where students learn to identify different native range plants, determine the carrying capacity of a specific range site and discuss how to improve the management practices. In addition to the range contest, first year students attend the Becoming Involved as a Greenhand.

At this conference, state FFA officers educate students on the opportunities available to students over their FFA careers and share their own personal experiences, Over 45 Routt County students participated in the event and started planning a bright future within the organization.

Soroco and Hayden FFA chapters also combined forces for the third annual Tailgate for Routt County Ag Ed. This event occurs during the Twentymile Showdown, or the annual Soroco/ Hayden Football game.

This year, the Soroco Rams hosted the Hayden Tigers at their Homecoming game and the Ag Ed programs took over concessions to provide a meal that highlighted the different proteins that are raised in Routt County.

The Soroco FFA chapter grilled hamburgers and hot dogs that were produced by Soroco members while the Hayden FFA chapter provided lamb meatballs. The event fed over 140 people throughout the night.

We concluded the month of October where both chapters spent the week at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. Nine students from Hayden and 15 Soroco students traveled to participate in the national event.

Chapters participated in leadership workshops, tour Platt Show Pigs, Hummel Livestock, Keeneland Race Track, Kentucky Horse Park and Churchill Downs.

This was coupled with cheering on Soroco’s own Molly Smith as she represents Colorado in the Extemporaneous Speaking Contest, Wednesday and Hayden FFA being recognized in the top 10 percent of chapters on Thursday.

As we look towards the future, Hayden will be holding our District Leadership Conference in just a little over two weeks. This event will provide hands-on leadership training to the FFA Members of Northwest Colorado, including North Park and Rangely and as far south as Coal Ridge and Rifle on Nov. 15.

The educators of Hayden and Soroco are extremely proud of our students throughout the Yampa Valley and always welcome any questions about their program and chapters.