All Hands On Deck: Getting Youth Involved in Agriculture
Elementary school students are walking through the nursery and taking it in.
Involving the Community
The Brookings FFA Chapter in Brookings, S.D., is passionate about using service-learning to educate area youth on the importance of agriculture. FFA members and community members alike look forward to working together and learning about agriculture.
Chapter President Ava Couser highlights some of the events that the chapter hosts throughout the year: “The chapter involves members of the community, youth, and other students in the school district through community service projects ranging from environmental cleanups to bringing activities to elementary classrooms.”
One of the biggest events the chapter celebrates is National FFA Week, with daily festivities culminating in their annual Animal Nursery. They kick off the week with Member Monday, when members gather to play games and share snacks. Then they give back to their educators on Teacher Tuesday by cooking breakfast for all teachers to enjoy. Next, Wednesday is used to set up for the animal nursery, which runs all day Thursday and Friday!
Shae Lefers (left) and Katherine Marshall (right) holding goats for students to pet.
Creating the Nursery
As an eager first-time agriculture teacher and FFA advisor, Joshua Johnson started the Animal Nursery 13 years ago. Johnson discussed how much the nursery has evolved over the years. “The nursery has grown in many ways, including the addition of the Pipestone Systems activity centers and tractor and farm equipment tours — both of which were introduced in 2021,” Johnson said.
Turning the classroom and shop into a makeshift barnyard and education center is no easy feat, so members collaborate to lighten the load. Chapter Vice President Clayton Nelson outlines the process: First, they clean the shop and then divide into three task groups. The shop group sets up animal pens and prepares the chicks’ area, while the outside crew manages arriving equipment from dealers. Meanwhile, the classroom group organizes hands-on activities from Pipestone Systems. Having all hands on deck speeds up the setup process.
2024-25 National FFA President Thaddeus Bergschneider (left) riding the nursery horse, Ember, with Josie Nold (right).
Leaving an Impact
February winters in South Dakota come with extreme cold, blizzards and snow days, but one thing that has held strong over the last thirteen years is the Animal Nursery. The two-day event features a multitude of farm animals, engaging activity centers, and farming equipment displayed. The chapter welcomes over 500 local elementary and high school students and community members each year. For many of the students who attend, this is their first interaction with farm animals.
“Attending the FFA Animal Nursery gives elementary students, especially those who live in town, hands-on experiences that build understanding of agriculture, animals and where food comes from. This real-world exposure strengthens classroom learning by making new concepts meaningful and memorable,” stated local elementary teacher Rebecca Marshall.
During the day, the nursery is only open to elementary and high school students; community members are encouraged to visit on Thursday evening. Not only is this event popular among the community, but it also drew the attention of former National FFA President Thaddeus Bergschneider, who made a surprise visit to the nursery last year.
“Having Thad visit us on our biggest event of the year was awesome. We work hard to put on this event and are proud to host it … I saw members excited to show Thad how important FFA was to them and how important the nursery is to our members, the community and the elementary students,” Nelson said.
The advisors, members, and officers of the Brookings FFA Chapter work hard to put on this amazing event year after year. The nursery ensures that the Brookings area youth and community members are getting hands-on experience and education in agriculture.
