Reel in on FFA

​By: Faith Mills, Contributing Writer

In a world where environmental concerns are at the forefront of global discussions, Centralia FFA students are proving that the future of agriculture is not just about crops and livestock but also about sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. ​

Recently, FFA students have been given the opportunity to participate in a conservation day, showcasing their commitment to preserving and protecting the environment.

The day kicked off at Tri-City Lake with Mrs. Williamson, a Centralia High School (CHS) agriculture teacher.  Williamson was instructing the skills section of hunter safety.  This course gives high school students the chance to learn about hunter safety and gives them the opportunity to earn their Missouri Hunter Education Certification. Even if students already have their certification, it is a great refresher on firearm safety. With hunting season right around the corner, this activity is great for those who plan on attending and participating. 

Their second station was fishing. A local fisherman came out and taught students the regulations of Missouri fish species as well as providing a demonstration on how to bait a hook and clean fish. This activity was created for students to have a fun and educational activity during the day.     

The last station was taught by Norman Steelman, a conservation agent for Audrain County. Steelman went over the importance of conservation and popular topics in the conservation world. Mrs. Lewis, another Centralia agriculture teacher said, “The most important thing the students will be learning is the importance of conservation and how it relates to everything in agriculture.”

Student and creator of Conservation Day Abby Asbury said, “The goal of Conservation Day for me was to spread awareness of what conservation is, while making it a fun activity for members to attend.” Abby exclaims that conservation programs help producers to constantly improve their products while still respecting the health of the environment. Without conservation the environment would not be able to stay up with the expanding world. 

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