In five or ten years when we all look back at the COVID-19 crisis, we will certainly remember the fear and uncertainty that loomed over all of us. But, at the same time we will remember the stories of kindness and selflessness. Stories have ranged from a Rural Mutual Insurance agent buying milk for his community with his own money to one FFA chapter selling yard signs as a fundraiser for dairy farmers. There truly is good out there in a time of darkness and that is exemplified once again through Sauk Prairie FFA’s efforts to help out their local community during the pandemic.
Sauk’s FFA chapter has been using its time and resources to assist in any way possible. “We see the struggles that our farmers are going through and we decided to spearhead our own “dairy strong” campaign of getting dairy products in the hands of families in our district,” says Troy Talford. Talford is an ag teacher in the Sauk Prairie school district, as well as one of the Sauk Prairie FFA advisers.
Sauk’s FFA banquet was supposed to take place on March 17th, but due to COVID-19 that did not happen. Talford says that normally the chapter would have baskets up for grabs at a silent auction, but this year the baskets are for sale online. Those can be found by clicking right here. The proceeds from the baskets will go towards purchasing gallons of milk for families that have requested lunches through the school lunch program. FFA members have been assisting in making sure the lunches requested make it to the homes of families in the community. “Knowing that they (farmers) can’t be the one to be distributing the milk,” Sauk FFA members and alumni have stepped in to help out with that effort.
Another silver lining, according to Talford, is that FFA chapters all across Wisconsin are reaching their absolute highest potential possible. “I am so overwhelmed by the support this community is giving,” he says. Talford recently spoke with Josh Scramlin on the Mid-West Farm Report about the efforts to help out farmers and the community. To hear their full conversation, click the play button below:
Leave a Reply