Grand Ridge Grade School signs charter to create FFA chapter

The idea was first brought up to start an FFA at Grand Ridge Grade School back in October.

The idea was a hit, because 31 sixth and seventh graders signed the charter Tuesday declaring intent to become a club.

Kyliegh Eike, who teaches agriculture classes at Grand Ridge and will now be the advisor for the FFA, said the idea was started by Luke Allen, a member of the FFA Advisory Committee.

“High school agriculture is becoming a common trend and he thought Grand Ridge, because of how successful the three high schools our kids go to are with their FFA and because of everything around it, should have an FFA program,” Eike said, referring to Ottawa, Streator and Marquette’s FFA programs. “That way, they can continue in FFA once they’re in high school.”

Grand Ridge isn’t the only school in the area that’s made a course correction because of the prevalence of agriculture education in the community.

IVCC President Jerry Corcoran told students Tuesday he noticed about six years ago just how many students were leaving for other schools because IVCC didn’t have an ag program.

“For that, I said something is wrong with this picture and we need to make a change,” Corcoran said. “People are paying taxes for our district and we should have something in place that’s based on their needs.”

The FFA National President Cole Baerlocher visited Grand Ridge from the hills of Eastern Washington state for the signing.

He first asked students to close their eyes and imagine it’s 1776.

“A group of men joined together to build an opportunity to create something that will last for generations,” Baerlacher said.

The FFA Illinois President, Wayne City’s Adam Loker, said what the FFA provides is a change in perspective.

“You’re going to meet a lot of different people,” Loker said. “That’s one of the coolest things about the FFA for me. It’s all the cool people you get to meat. I never thought I’d be meeting the national president years ago.”

Principal Terry Ahearn said the FFA will help nurture agriculture into becoming an important subject for students to learn, such as science, math and social studies.

“Recognition and signing of this charter is not only historical to the students here at Grand Ridge, but it also provides the necessary tools you need to help all students reach their highest potential and respond to the student’s individual learning needs,” Ahearn said.

FFA is an agricultural education organization with more than 23,000 members nationwide.