Events and Activities : VSHS FFA, Farm Bureau plan pre-game tailgate event Aug 30

The Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter, along with the Benton County Farm Bureau Federation, will be teaming up on Friday August 30, 2013 for a Tailgate Party! It will be held at north end of the high school parking lot beginning at 4:00 p.m. and the community is welcome to attend. The Vinton-Shellsburg Viking football team will host the Benton Bobcats on Karr Field later that evening.

Benton County Farm Bureau leaders will be grilling burgers after school until 6:00 p.m., and members of the FFA group will be selling food for the tailgating event. The money raised will go to the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter. Young Farmer committee members, Dustin Schirm and Mark Kotouc felt that holding an event such as a Tailgate Party would be a great way to involve everyone in the school and include the community. A recent survey conducted by the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers states that an increasing majority of FFA members want to farm and live in Iowa upon completing their education. Schirm says “It is so important to support the FFA program; these students will be our future leaders in agriculture.” The FFA is developing leaders that will be able to help shape the future of our state and nation.

Louise Fleming, Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Advisor and Agricultural Education teacher, along with the students, are very excited to team up with Farm Bureau for the Tailgate Party event. “This is a great opportunity for these groups to work side by side, bringing the school and community together, to promote agricultural awareness” says Mrs. Fleming. The Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter has recently seen 40 percent growth in its membership, adding FFA Assistant Sarah Kirschbaum to help with the many activities of the program.

The Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter and Benton County Farm Bureau are encouraging Viking and Bobcat football fans, and FFA supporters, to come early on Friday August 30th, stop by the high school parking lot, do some tailgating, enjoy a burger and show their support of agriculture in Benton County!