New members of the Mid-Prairie Future Farmers of America joined other FFA members across southeast Iowa at the Greenhand Fire Up conference at Kirkwood Community College.

On September 22, 22 first-year FFA members, also known as greenhands, traveled from Mid-Priairie to Cedar Rapids to visit Kirkwood’s agricultural facilities. Members of the Cedar Rapids Prairie FFA chapter and officers from across the region, including Mid-Prairie’s Adelyn Huston, hosted presentations and workshops for the greenhands. The presentations and workshops included topics such as authenticity, balancing priorities, communication, and FFA opportunities.

Mid-Prairie alum Brad Kinsinger, Kirkwood’s Dean of Agricultural Sciences and Hospitality Arts, also gave students a tour of the Kirkwood facility.

The annual event gives students new to the FFA program an opportunity to meet club leaders from across southeast Iowa while learning about the opportunities the organization provides.

The students were accompanied on the trip by FFA advisor Elsa Schmidt.