On April 5, 2012, the Isabella High School chapter of Future Farmers of America had the opportunity to join more than 200 other FFA members from across the state in Montgomery for the second annual FFA Day on the Hill.

The event was organized by the Alabama’s Farmers Federation to show the importance of Agriculture and FFA in Alabama.

“The students were extremely excited to be able to attend an event where they were the ones showing the importance of agriculture, FFA and agriscience,” said Landon Lowery, agriscience instructor at Isabella.

Students spent most of the morning at the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, where they toured the “MOO”seum, a local attraction in the Cattlemen’s building used to teach kids about the importance of beef cattle in the Alabama.

While the students toured the “MOO”seum, one of the workers decided it would be a good idea to speak to the FFA members directly.

As are result, 60 students from four different chapters were allowed to go upstairs to listen to an informative session on topics such as “Lean Beef,” “The Beef Check Off” and “Pink Slime.”

Prior to lunch, the students watched sessions at the Alabama State House in the Senate and Legislative galleries.

After touring the state house, they attended a luncheon on the hill provided by the Alabama Farmers Federation and the Alabama FFA.

Students met with Chilton County Representative Kurt Wallace.

Because of rain, the evening was cut short, but not prior to a group photo of all chapters in front of the State Capitol.

According to its website, Future Farmers of America was founded by a group of young farmers back in 1928.

Their mission was to prepare future generations for the challenges of feeding a growing population. They taught that agriculture is more than planting and harvesting—it’s a science, it’s a business and it’s an art.

FFA continues to help the next generation rise up to meet those challenges by helping its members to develop their own unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range of career pathways, including biology, chemistry, veterinary medicine, engineering and entrepreneurship.