LEXINGTON, Ky. — For those involved in FFA, one of the most important aspects of the organization is its close relationship with community service. Several Kentucky chapters spent their first day of the recent state conference participating in A Day of Service.

Those projects ranged from cleaning public parks to helping at the local food bank. Students from Locust Trace Agri-Science Farm spent their time helping with one of the largest community gardens projects in the region – the garden is located at the main Southland Christian Church campus and is overseen by church volunteers.

Carrie Kennedy, one of the volunteers in charge of distribution, said aid coming from students like those from Locust Trace is great and can teach them in turn. “This has taught me that you don’t want to take advantage of where your food comes from, and it takes a lot of hard work,” she said. “Service and to give to others is what God calls us to do.”

Kennedy loves to see this next generation come out and work hard and hopes the project will help these young people carry on the tradition.

Shane Norris is one of the FFA advisors at the school. He said the Day of Service is a way for state chapters to give back to the community in which their annual conference is held. “We discovered this project through state FFA and we were blessed enough to come here,” he said.

This year marked the first time freshmen could attend and, with that, Norris brought many of those newer students to experience what community service was all about.

“This is a new experience for them and as part of program activities, these students, in moving up the degree ladder, they have to have so many hours of community service. So it’s something that is embedded in what we do and what we do every day,” he said.

Many of the students who come to the school aren’t necessarily from the farm but Norris said they do have an interest in agriculture. “Once they get to Locust Trace, they get involved with FFA, they go to the National Convention and the state conference and go to FFA camp.

“Those are just extensions of what we’re able to do for them as they prepare to grow as leaders,” he added.

Demarius Wilson is one of the Locust Trace students who participated in the community service day. He said, with the exception of some relatives who were involved in agriculture, farming was new to him but upon seeing the school, he knew he would like it.

“Everybody there is family and because of people like Mr. Norris, my academic skills have been enhanced,” he said. From a community service standpoint, Wilson said he had participated in other projects and knew how important it is to give back.

“Some people are surprised when we show up for a community service project, but they are always grateful,” he said. “When I put my blue jacket on, I feel like I become a part of something bigger.”

Kelly Acevedo is another student at Locust Trace who comes to the school with farm experience working with Thoroughbred horses, thanks to her parents being in the business.

“There is a lot of freedom at the school and it’s a lot easier to express yourself as you’re learning, and easy to express yourself through FFA,” she said. “It’s like we’re family and everyone shares a lot of the same traits, and it’s easier to get things done.”

As for her work in this year’s community service project, Acevedo said she has her own garden so this kind of work was not new to her and, unlike some of her fellow students, she has been involved in other community service projects in the past.

Norris said the students are staying busy even during the summer months with a host of activities. He added it’s important to get these young people experienced in the various aspects of agriculture.

“I think it’s important especially in an urban environment so they have an appreciation (of agriculture) because most of them are three or four generations removed from the farm,” he said. “It’s nice to have them understand how important it is and it’s still a vital part of what we do every day.”