Submitted photo Sleepy Eye FFA members attended Summer Ag. Tour. This stop was at the City Museum in St. Louis. The members who participated included (from left to right): front- Trisha Ludewig, Kathryn Schroepfer, Isaac Huiras, Brittney Dittbenner, McKenna Dockter, Presley Dockter, Presley Bauer, Leslie Martinez, Jack Schroepfer. Back- Trey Heiderscheidt, Edwin Flores, Logan Mickelson, Mike Ludewig, Emma Fischer, Maranda Braulick, Cali Rossbach, Morgan Hoffmann, Miah Brown, Jordan Niebuhr, Martina Nienhaus, Brennen Meyer.

FFA members from throughout Region VI recently attended the Summer Ag Tour from July 16 through July 19. Members attended along with FFA advisor, Mary Hoffmann, summer intern, Donavan Phoenix, as well as members from the Springfield and Mountain Lake Chapters. This was an excellent opportunity available to members!

Students started out the trip by stopping at the John Deere Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, where they were able to explore and see the advances of John Deere throughout history. After the museum, members went on a tour of the John Deere Tractor Cab Factory that was also in Waterloo. On the tour, members watched the process of John Deere tractors being made from beginning to end. Later that day, members arrived at the hotel and spent time meeting other members.

The 2nd day was spent throughout St. Louis at Grant Farms, the Basilica Cathedral, and finally, the Gateway Arch. At Grant Farms, the group went on a tour, saw what was necessary to be a Budweiser Clydesdale, and how the horses were cared for. After the tour, students went to the park portion of the farm and saw various animals and many other interesting things.

That afternoon, members toured the Basilica Cathedral, where they saw many interesting and unique aspects of the Cathedral. They heard about how the cathedral was built and the artists who designed the depictions inside. Following the Basilica Cathedral, the students took the tram up the top of the St. Louis Gateway Arch and saw a breathtaking view of St. Louis. They also learned how the arch was designed and built over 50 years ago.

The final day started off by touring Monsanto where the group got to experience a realistic activity about the numerous risks of farming, then went on a tour of the facility where they learned about genetic modification and biotechnology. From there, the group went to the Butterfly House and saw butterflies native to the area as well as butterflies from other regions of the world.

Later in the day, students went to the City Museum in St. Louis and explored the area where they were allowed to climb, slide, and even ride a ferris wheel. After several hours there, the attendees of the trip ate a delicious Southern Meal at Pappy’s Smokehouse. Following the meal, members traveled back to home to Minnesota.

The FFA members who took advantage of the Summer Ag. Tour are extremely grateful for this opportunity partially funded by the Sleepy Eye Ag. & FFA Program Boosters. The Summer Ag. Tour was a great chance for students to learn about different areas within agriculture while also having a great time!