ERWIN, TN –In a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, Farm Credit Mid-America presented the Unicoi County Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter with six greenhouses and the property on which they sit.
The greenhouses are situated in the heart of Erwin on Indian Creek Road. The property was given after county-level school administrators and Lucas Anders, Unicoi County agriculture teacher and FFA advisor, approached Farm Credit about gifting the property to the school.
“These greenhouses give Unicoi County FFA the chance to become one of the premier FFA chapters in Tennessee,” said David Lynn, Senior Vice President for Farm Credit Mid-America and Tennessee FFA Foundation, Inc. Sponsoring Committee member. “Farm Credit is excited to be part of this leap forward for this FFA program and we hope other private businesses will take this as a blue print for strengthening their local schools.”
More than 150 FFA members and parents, Farm Credit employees and community members participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Among those in attendance were Congressman Phil Roe (R-TN 1st District), State Senator Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City), State Representative David Hawk (R-Greeneville), and Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Julius Johnson.
“We just want to thank Farm Credit for this contribution and opportunity to grow our FFA chapter. It means a lot,” said Unicoi County FFA member Adam Hill.
Greenhouses are commonly found in high school agricultural education programs. However, few high schools have more than one or two. Maximizing the opportunities that come with operating six greenhouses will give this FFA chapter the chance to shine like never before.
FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Nationally, there are 606,510 FFA members, aged 12-21. The Tennessee FFA Association has more than 13,000 members from 212 chapters across the state.
(Photo caption: FFA, Farm Credit Mid-America and community representatives gather near the six greenhouses now owned by the Unicoi County FFA chapter for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.)
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