FFA buzzing with excitement over new project

Big Spring’s FFA department is all a buzz about a recent project they’ve begun in collaboration with the TSA. The program is called the pollination project, and the official day will take make May 22.

The idea was first conceived by the head of grounds, Sam Sheeler. He was inspired to create the project after noticing the extra space throughout the Big Spring property.

“We have all these fields in our property, and he just mows them off. And he thought that maybe we can help the environment and the pollinators by converting them into pollination plots.” SaraBeth Fulton, Big Spring High School FFA teacher, said.

Sheeler asked the the FFA, along with the Technology Student Association (TSA), to aid him in the project. After jumping at the chance, the FFA and TSA designed 22’x22’ plots that will focus on three different pollinators: butterflies, birds, and bees. The plots will contain various plants that will assist the pollination.

However, to get the entire district involved, TSA and FFA asked Big Spring elementary students to help.

“I was asked to take charge of the teaching portion of it since after graduation I do want to be a teacher.” Cory Latchford said. “I created lesson plans for the third graders to go off of.”

The kindergarten students painted river rocks for the butterflies; the third graders helped design the plots and plant the flowers.

“My main job in the beginning was to figure out all the materials we would need to build the houses and the boxes for the pollinators.” said Emily Stambaugh. “…and to decide which plants we wanted to order for the plots to give to the third graders.”

After the plots are completed, Big Spring’s E-Club will maintain them to make sure they are suitable for the pollinators. The community is encouraged to stop by the high school and walk around the plots to see the pollinators at work.