Bixby FFA Projects

How the Bixby FFA "Ticks"

   Since the boys studying vocational agriculture in the Bixby, Okla., High school live in one of the most fertile vegetable sections of the state it is no wonder they have more than unusual good luck with cabbage. Marvin McLaughlin, Charles Watkins, Melvin Scaggs (truck grower), Billy Baker and Donald Driscoll make plans to transplant some of the cabbage plants grown by the FFA chapter. All are vocational agriculture students, except Scaggs, and live on nearby farms.

The Bixby, Okla. FFA chapter is one of the oldest and most outstanding chapters in the state. A number of farmers in the community who are giving strong support to the FFA were members when the chapter was known as the FFO (Future Farmers of Oklahoma). There are more than 300 chapters in the state of Oklahoma; of this number, the Bixby chapter is No. 6 on the roll.

During last fall the FFA boys made plans for their program of work. In these plans were included the operation of the greenhouse, hotbeds, and the seven one-half acres of school farm land. Committees were formed for the greenhouse. Those serving on this committee are: Charles Watkins, chairman, and Junior Beede, Paul Reynolds, J.D. Duty and Marvin McLaughlin as members. The Farm Land committee includes: Melvin Conrad, Tommie James, Donald Driscoll and Billy Baker.

LOTS OF LETTUCE GROWN

The 20 by 50-foot greenhouse constructed by FFA members of former years has been in constant use since the beginning of this school year. First, leaf lettuce was grown. It was marketed during the months of December and January. This crop netted the chapter $75. On Jan.15,1951, cabbage seed were sown in the beds. These plants were removed Mar. 15 and were sold to a local truck grower at $3 per 3,000 plants for a profit of $150.

The greenhouse is now being used for the growing of tomato plants, since this has been a very profitable enterprise in the past. The boys are planning to sell plants to the ho,me gardner and the commercial tomato growers.

One and one-half acres of the school land has been planted to English peas. It is the plan of the chapter to plant the remainder of the land to radishes. This will be done in a series of plantings at 10-day intervals. These crops were selected due to the available markets in conjunction with local farmers growing the same type of product in this area. Also these crops can be harvested by the students before the close of school.

A contact was worked out between the chapter and an FFA boy, Tommie James, who owned the necessary equipment to farm the land. This makes an ideal situation, since he can plan the operation, and then proceed to do the work, arousing much interest and enthusiasm. Learning may be attained by the hypothetical situation, but with an actual learning experience such as this, so much more can be accomplished.

APPROVED PRACTICES USED

In the planting of these fields, recommended approved practices are used. Before fertilizer applications are made, each boy figures the amount and kind he thinks is necessary, then they compare notes and discuss the problem. These boys are learning more about the leading types of arming in their community by co-operative chapter projects at school in addition to their individual projects.

The FFA boys are proud of their city beautification project. They are remoing undesirable trees from the park, pruning and treating damaged trees, and transplanting trees and shrubbery. The students are doing this splendid work free of charge because they realize the meaning and feeling of working together for a common cause. In reality this is democracy in action.

The Bixby FFA boys will be moving into their new classroom and shop soon. This is one of the finest classrooms and shops that you will find anywhere in the state; to be quite frank, it is an instructor's dream. The shop will be completely equipped to do all kinds of jobs necessary for the maintenance of farm equipment, etc. This shop and classroom will be used by all day students, V.A.T.P. and adult farmers.

The chapter officers have accepted an invitation from the Owasso FFA chapter to advance their Green Hands to the degree of Chapter Farmer.

The Bixby chapter appreciates the help and advice from many people in this community. We especially want to acknowledge and thank the Bixby Chamber of Commerce for their whole-hearted support of our FFA program. — Gerald B. Thompson, Vocational Agriculture Instructor, Bixby, Oklahoma.

   The Bixby FFA chapter takes an interest in the beautification of the city. Tommie James, Oscar Smith, Wayne Roberts and J.R. Massey got a little work-out on an uprooted tree in the Bixby city park. The interests of this chapter is not confined to farm subjects alone. The whole chapter takes part in many civic projects.