Green County FFA: Serving the Community Through Local Tradition
Every year, hundreds of people fill the square in the small town of Greensburg, Ky., for the annual Cow Days Fall Festival. This cherished event, always held on a weekend in September, has brought the small community together for many years. Whether it’s participating in the Cow Days 5k, milking Annie the cow, checking out the food court, or supporting the vendor booths, Cow Days provides fun for all ages. For the past several years, Green County FFA has had the opportunity to help out during the fun, showing their support for their tight-knit community.
The preparation for Cow Days in the Green County FFA chapter begins one to two months in advance with the selling of hog tickets. Every member has the opportunity to sell hog tickets to individuals in the community. Hog tickets serve as a raffle-style ticket for the chance to win the winner’s choice of $100 or a hog. The drawing is held at Cow Days on Saturday evening when the streets are filled with community members waiting to see if their name is drawn for the prize. Selling these tickets gives Green County FFA members the opportunity to go out into their community and help promote agriculture while supporting their chapter.
In addition to selling hog tickets, Green County FFA also hosts the FFA Games each year during Cow Days. The games take place on Saturday morning and draw quite the crowd of children and adults alike. Age groups and men’s/women’s divisions help to keep the competition fair and fun for everybody. Participants can choose to compete in as many of the events as they would like. The hay bale toss is a crowd favorite, always displaying impressive amounts of strength and athleticism. The dairymen’s derby is well-loved by the youth participants. Competitors must carry a tray with glasses of milk on it as fast as they can through an obstacle course while spilling as little milk as possible. Cow calling increases in popularity each year. Participants must do their best cow call in front of the audience, and the winners are based on crowd support. The FFA games are a great way for Green County FFA to engage all age groups in the community and provide a fun way to support local agriculture.
Green County FFA also places a strong emphasis on community service. Early Saturday morning, during Cow Days weekend, before the 5K runners line up on the starting line or the vendors open their booths, Green County FFA is hard at work helping to serve the community ham breakfast. Members arrive early to set out the breakfast and prepare to serve the community. The breakfast lasts three hours, during which Green County FFA members help serve breakfast, refill drinks, clean tables and welcome community members. This opportunity is another great way for the Green County FFA chapter to get involved in their community and show their support.
When asked why she thought the Green County FFA participation in Cow Days was important for both the chapter and community, Green County FFA President Danielle Milby said, “Green County FFA participation in Cow Days events, particularly the ham breakfast and FFA Games, helps our chapter develop leadership and teamwork skills while serving the community. It also brings people together, supports local traditions, and shows the positive impact FFA members can make. These events help strengthen the relationship between our FFA chapter and the community.”
Assisting in Cow Days activities at any level is always a fun way for members of the GC FFA to stay involved while helping out around town. This event brings members together, serves the community, and celebrates agriculture in the community.
