West Iredell FFA members gather for the annual “Wake Up to Ag Day” event.
Planting seeds and growing leaders, the FFA chapters in Iredell County, N.C., gathered for their annual “Wake Up to Ag Day ” event held April 24-25, 2025, where games and lessons were prepared for an eager audience of kindergartners. Designed to educate and inspire, the event welcomed students for a fun-filled, hands-on introduction to the world of agriculture. These FFA chapters stood out in their efforts to engage and educate members of their community while taking home valuable lessons themselves.
From interactive games to engaging learning stations, every activity was crafted to reflect real agriculture practices in a way young students could understand and enjoy. With the help of the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day Program, the event featured safety demonstrations, providing students with an immersive experience in the field of agriculture.
Iredell County FFA members teach kindergartners about the importance of tractor use and safety.
At the heart of the event was collaboration. The West Iredell FFA Chapter, led by President Reese Miller, set a goal to work hand-in-hand with other FFA members who came to participate in the event. “Our main plan of action was to get involved anyway possible, even if that meant we were just walking around seeing if anyone needed help setting up, holding an event or running errands for other groups,” says Miller.
Miller helped his chapter host parts of the event the previous year and had high hopes for the turnout of this year’s attendance. He says, “By having all of the Iredell County FFA chapters help run of the event, chapter members fostered a deeper connection to the kindergartners and other members.”
Iredell County kindergartners participate in fun activities FFA members prepared for them.
Preparing for the event was no easy task. Members from each chapter were challenged to educate themselves on specific agriculture topics and put their teaching skills to the test. “When preparing for any big event, you want to gain some form of background knowledge so you can give a better understanding to others,” Miller says. “We have to remember the audience: kindergarten students. So, we have to put it into simple terms and hit on the main points or details.”
As with any large event, communication was key — and sometimes challenging. “One of the biggest challenges when faced with the planning process is the communication of ideas across the county,” Miller says. However, many of the chapters were able to jump this hurdle and successfully plan a productive day of learning and fun for the young students. “Some things were changed up this year, but everyone is starting to adjust to the change,” Miller adds.
The young students weren’t the only ones who gained some valuable lessons. By having the opportunity to communicate with FFA chapters from across Iredell County, members took home advice from agricultural businesses, teachers and other FFA members. Miller remembers when the event from the previous year because Dalton Jordan, a former Northwest Regional reporter, offered personal guidance to him. “He gave me helpful tips on how to get the most out of my year of service at the regional office,” Miller says.
Wake Up to Ag Day is more than just an event — it’s a tradition that sows the values of service, education and leadership into the community. For the young students, it sparks curiosity about where their food comes from. For FFA members, it’s a chance to practice leadership in a real-world setting. For the Iredell County community, it’s a reminder the future of agriculture is bright — and already growing strong.
