Southside COLT Conference

Post by Rebekah Slabach, State FFA Vice President

The Southside FFA Area COLT conference and picnic was held on Thursday, September 6^th at Mountain Run Farm. Over one-hundred members, advisers, and special guests were in attendance for this much-anticipated annual event. Liberty High FFA was the host chapter and its members as well as their adviser Ms. Tomlinson spent many dedicated hours planning and organizing COLT and the evening picnic held in Bedford County.

To kick things off, everyone was divided into different groups to compete in an Obstacle Course, consisting of a few teamwork activities for members, with chapters competing against each other for extra fun. Following this exciting start to COLT, members were divided into respective groups and went to a 45-minute chapter office specific workshop. Some members had already been elected, and others were interested in applying for an office. State Officers Addie Guthrie, Michael Arthur, Rebekah Slabach, Emily Hill, and Josh Pinkard were on hand to facilitate the workshops. Past State Officers Joy Powers and James Rockwell also helped with an additional workshop. They helped break down the meaning behind the symbol and opening ceremonies part of the offices. All the members also learned their specific duties for the year, and the state officers gave tips and techniques to help them serve to the best of their ability. FFA members came out of the chapter officer workshops refreshed, renewed, and excited to take what they learned at COLT back to their home chapters this year.

Following the chapter officer workshops, FFA members had the privilege to hear from the owner and farm manager of Mountain Run Farm. MRF raises local, humanely-raised, all natural, premium meats, with a focus on sustainability and environmental stewardship. The farm serves the surrounding Bedford, Lynchburg, Roanoke and Central Virginia areas with nutrient-dense, grass-fed beef, pastured poultry, pork, turkeys, and catfish. This was a unique opportunity for members to hear from a local agriculturist share of his farming heritage and legacy, as well as best management practices and environmental plans to help protect and preserve his farming enterprise.

The Bedford County Young Farmers graciously helped cook and serve the evening meal for the picnic. After an afternoon packed full and filled with an obstacle course, workshops, and presentation from a local farmer, everyone was ready to eat and fellowship with their fellow members and new friends in the Southside area. With full stomachs, lessons learned new friendships, tips and techniques for their chapter office, Southside Area FFA members left the COLT conference with a renewed passion and ignited fire for agriculture, FFA, and serving their chapter and members this year!