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Madison freshman urges school board to establish FFA chapter
Summary
A Madison High freshman, Dylan Fairbanks, asked the board to authorize a Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter, provided startup details and a supporting letter, and said about 15 students have expressed interest; board members and staff said they will follow up.
A Madison High freshman urged the Madison Local Board of Education to approve starting a Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter, describing the program's educational benefits and local interest.
Dylan Fairbanks introduced himself and presented a packet with an FFA vision, startup-cost notes, sample schedules and suggested student projects, and said the group currently estimates about 15 interested students. "FFA stands for Future Farmers of America, however, it is much more," Fairbanks told the board, and read a supporting letter from Jackson Bart, who wrote that FFA provided him with leadership skills, scholarships and hands-on career training.
Fairbanks described local activities the chapter could build on, such as greenhouse and garden-market work and agriculture-related field trips. In response to board and staff questions, he said the chapter would tap existing school programs and that at least one community sponsor had offered to help with startup costs. A board member said the district's staff and trustees would follow up to determine the official process and next steps.
The request came during the public participation portion of the board meeting; no formal vote was taken on establishing the chapter at this meeting. The board thanked Fairbanks and indicated district staff would review the packet and report back.
