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Russell FFA alumni fund $35,000 in farm upgrades; students to receive FAA drone training and take part in statewide contests
Summary
District staff and FFA members described upgrades to the school farm funded largely by the FFA alumni (about $35,000 spent), new small-animal pens and water systems, and plans for a nine-week drone course to prepare students for the FAA Part 107 exam. Board voiced strong support and noted alumni contributions covered much of the cost.
The Russell USD 407 board heard detailed updates on the FFA farm and student programming, with advisers and alumni describing recent improvements funded outside the district budget.
Beth Piper, a 7–12 agriculture teacher and Russell FFA adviser, told the board the chapter has grown to 50 members this year and is expanding hands-on offerings. Piper said the district will offer a nine-week drone course next school year through a "teach the teacher" program from K‑State Salina; students who complete the course will be positioned to sit for the FAA Part 107 UAS licensing exam. "I will receive the full curriculum at no cost to the district," Piper said, adding the program will use a drone package secured through a recent grant.
Monty Mai, speaking on behalf of the FFA alumni, described facility upgrades at the school farm. The alumni purchased a 10‑pin small-animal penning system for goats, sheep and hogs, installed an exhaust fan, spray-foam insulation, a dedicated water line with drinkers for each pen, and bought panels and a cattle squeeze shoot for the beef area. Mai said the group has spent roughly $35,000 on those improvements to date and plans to install a concrete wash slab and other infrastructure to make daily animal care and showing easier.
Students who use the farm described the hands-on benefits. Senior and student-council representative Madison Ruff said the March Farm Safety Day drew about 150 students and included demonstrations from the fire department, police, EMS and highway patrol. Freshman Payton Mask, and first-year members Alex Kates and Aaliyah Trevino, described how having access to the farm enables town students to keep and prepare livestock for county fair competition without relying on private facilities.
Board members praised the program and the alumni’s financial support. One trustee asked whether the district needed a motion; the board agreed it "fully support[s] allowing these improvements" and noted the alumni were fronting much of the cost. Trustees also expressed enthusiasm for expanding hands-on career and technical opportunities, saying programs like FFA reach students who learn best by doing.
The district said it will continue to coordinate operations and oversight for the farm and will return with any requests that require board funding or formal action.
