Members of the Cheyenne Frontier FFA Chapter pose outside of Laramie County Senior Services with care kit components.
As the largest city in the smallest state in the nation, Cheyenne, Wyo., is unique in a number of ways. With a population just above 60,000, the community celebrates a rich agricultural heritage, evident in the outreach efforts of local FFA chapters.
A Unique Opportunity
One way Cheyenne is unique is through its population. Nearly 20% of the city’s residents are 65 or older, making senior citizens a vital part of the community. Outreach programs exist, but few address the opportunities for growth and cognitive development that agriculture provides.
Members of the Cheyenne Frontier FFA Chapter recognized the gap between senior citizen centers and adequate access to hands-on, personal activities and aimed to bridge this gap through their first annual Sprouts for Seniors event.
Sprouts for Seniors
The event, organized by the Cheyenne Frontier FFA Chapter’s Building Communities — Citizenship Committee, involved assembling and distributing plant care kits to local senior centers.
“[Sprouts for Seniors] was super impactful,” said Cruz Medina, a chapter member who participated in the event. “It was great knowing that we were making a difference in our community.”
Regan Allen, Cheyenne Frontier FFA vice president and Building Communities Committee member, packs up soil packets.
The idea stemmed from a conversation with a local senior services center. “We spoke with a senior center,” explained Danielle Mehtala, chair of the Building Communities — Citizenship Committee, “and identified that senior citizens living in Cheyenne wanted activities that would engage them both mentally and physically.”
Giving Back Through Agriculture
FFA members created and distributed 118 individualized plant care kits, each including a small bag of soil, a packet of seeds, a starter pot and care instructions. The care instructions not only explained how to grow the plants but also included motivational self-care messages.
Cheyenne Frontier FFA Treasurer Katalyna Wolski carefully fills seed packets with tomato seeds.
“We wrote out personal care instructions, ranging from ‘fill your cup with experiences’ to ‘find root in kindness,’” said Emily Shuck, a committee member who helped plan the event. “We wanted to give senior citizens the opportunity to care for a plant, and help them care for themselves, too.”
Cultivating Community Care
Members of the Cheyenne Frontier FFA Chapter coordinated with Laramie County Senior Services (LCSS) to deliver the kits. Upon receiving the kits, LCSS distributed them to residents across the city. Care kits included seeds for plants ranging from tomatoes and sunflowers to marigolds and lettuce.
Members deliver care kit components to Laramie County Senior Services.
“Working directly with the senior center staff and seeing how excited they were to receive the kits reminded us that we can truly make a difference,” said Cooper Miller, chapter sentinel. “It was great getting to show care for our community.”
The Cheyenne Frontier FFA hopes to continue and expand the Sprouts for Seniors program in the coming years, further enriching the lives of seniors through agriculture-based outreach.
