Despite the cold it’s a busy week in local schools

This may be the coldest week of the winter in southeast Minnesota with many schools having two days off because of Presidents Day and excessive cold, but that is not stopping local school districts from having a very active week.

For starters, FFA Chapters in all four of the schools covered by the Dodge County FFA are celebrating National FFA Week. FFA Week is really a national event.

The week has its origins with the Future Farmers of America that began a National FFA Day in 1933. By 1948 it expanded to a full week, each year in February, and always running Sunday through Saturday, including February 22, which is George Washington’s birthdate.

Locally, Byron, Hayfield, Kasson-Mantorville and Triton Chapters are all planning special activities for this week.

All of the local chapters provide students with opportunities that go far beyond the idea that FFA is just for “farm kids.”

Today, the organization is open to any student who is taking an agriculture class, whether or not they live on a farm. As Byron agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor Allison Newman says, agriculture classes are important for everyone because everyone becomes consumer of agricultural products.

FFA Chapters also provide students with many opportunities to learn the leadership skills that are necessary in today’s world. Chapter members also participate in a variety of service activities that benefit their local communities.

Local chapters are celebrating the week with a variety of special events.

Hayfield and Triton Chapters are both sponsoring steak dinners and are inviting the public to attend.

Hayfield’s “Farm Feast” is scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. tomorrow night, Friday, February 21, at the high school cafeteria. They will be serving steak, baked potatoes, sweet corn and dessert bars along with water, lemonade or milk for $15.

Then Saturday night one can stop over at Faith Community Church in West Concord for Triton FFA’s Steak Feed. They are serving from 4 to 8 p.m. with drive-thru service from 4 to 6 p.m. Their menu includes, steak, cheesy potatoes, corn, a dinner roll, cookies and beverages for $15. There will also be a kid’s menu for $7.

It’s tournament time

Moving on to the winter sports season, it is now tournament time and already local schools are making themselves known.

The Dodge County girls hockey team headed to the state tournament with a send-off Tuesday afternoon. They won the Section 1A title last week and were scheduled to skate their first game Wednesday.

Byron’s girls gymnastics team is also at their state tournament this weekend after they won the Section 1A title last week. Gymnastics tournament is Feb. 21 and 22.

Kasson-Mantorville wrestlers are also making another trip to the state tournament after winning the Section 1AA tournament. The wrestling tournament is scheduled for Feb. 27 to March 1.

Boys and girls basketball and boys hockey are still in the section play phase so there is more action to come.