FFA Foundation tours Randolph ag department
By Janet Kubat Willette
jkubat@agrinews.com
Date Modified: 03/11/2010 9:10 AM
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RANDOLPH, Minn. — What was supposed to be a one-year gig has turned into a 33-year calling.
Ed Terry taught agricultural education for six years in Farmington before coming to Randolph. He didn't plan to teach, instead he was going to focus on farming.
But he knew he couldn't say no when the school board chairman was referring to him as the FFA adviser and ag instructor at the county fair, where he was an open class show superintendent.
He signed a contract and a letter of resignation for the end of the school year at the same time. But, the administration didn't hold him to the letter. The joke is that Terry is still starting the program that has grown from 15 to 138 students.
Yet, Terry remains a half-time instructor and full-time farmer. He farms in partnership with his brother, David.
Terry and his kids, the Randolph FFA chapter, along with the Randolph High School hosted the meeting of the Minnesota FFA Foundation board of trustees on Feb. 22. The meeting was a kick-off to FFA Week, which included FFA Day at the Capitol and several other special events throughout the state.
Terry said the community of Randolph is very supportive of the FFA chapter, be it turning out to drive in or support the springtime tractor parade or donating corn for the annual corn drive for Camp Courage.
"As a teacher, I really work for the community," Terry said.
When Terry started in Randolph, he had no budget. The students raised money to furnish the shop. They've purchased a trailer to transport equipment for farm safety events and tractors to restore.
The Randolph ag program and FFA draw students from eight other school districts: Northfield, Faribault, New Prague, Rosemount, Jordan, Lakeville, Hastings and Cottage Grove. The Northfield students come for two hours a day. The other students meet with Terry two nights per month and a full day during winter break. They pay a $25 tuition charge and receive a transcript with their agriculture grade, making them eligible to compete in state and national FFA events.
FFA Week 2010 was a busy one for the entire Randolph FFA.
On Saturday, they hosted the state FFA alumni chapter at their school. On Monday, they met with the FFA Foundation and took turns guarding the room where the meeting was held. On Tuesday, they held a teacher appreciation breakfast. On Wednesday, they traveled to Williamsburg, Iowa, to tour the Kinze manufacturing plant. On Thursday, six people participated in FFA Day at the Capitol.