photo by CAROL SHETLER Participants in the program held Feb. 1 at Eagle Grange #1, were (left to right): Chris Ulrich, FFA advisor at Montgomery High School; students Cameron Bryson and Kaylei Snyder; and speaker, Nancy Walker.

Students investing time in agricultural studies with the local chapter of Future Farmers of America (FFA), learned there is no limit to how far they can go. Members, their families and advisor from the Montgomery High School FFA, were guests at the Feb. 1 meeting of Eagle Grange #1 near Montgomery.

During the gathering, updates as to activities of the local FFA; awards sponsored by the host Grange; and a program speaker, who challenged them toward the open fields for pursuits in agriculture.

Chris Ulrich, FFA advisor, shared that his 82 member group are researching the FFA history at Montgomery. It is believed to have begun in 1939 progressing into the early 1980s. There has been input from former FFA members George Ulrich and Bert Staman. Photos have been recovered, the last in 1978. Anyone with information and/or photos are encouraged to assist the club in its endeavor.

Eagle Grange donated FFA blue jackets to three of Montgomery’s own. They were Cam Bryson, Kaylei Snyder, and Kylee Young. The trio was also offered a free, year-long membership compliments of the host Grange.

Sharing what the jacket meant to him, Bryson said, “My FFA jacket is a symbol of the school I attend and represent. I wear it with faith, honor and pride, as anyone with a blue jacket should. While wearing it, I am reminded it is made of cotton from our great nation’s cotton farmers. When I was awarded mine at the winter conference in Harrisburg at the Farm Show, it felt like a great achievement. I’d like to thank Eagle Grange #1 for sponsoring my jacket.”

Snyder’s comment was, “I am interested in Ag Education because it shows how important farmers are in helping supply the population with products needed for our everyday life. I hope to gain more confidence in knowing more about FFA, and become more of a leader. “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.” I hope to become a better leader, and with Montgomery FFA growing, people and students see how great this program is. The FFA jacket means making a difference. I hope to change the way people look at FFA and the agricultural world. I will wear the jacket so people notice what is, and connect it with the importance of agriculture. In wearing the jacket, I represent pride in agriculture.”

A career in agriculture

The evening’s speaker, Nancy Walker, shared her life’s journey as to where opportunities took her during her 35 years with 4-H, a group having similar goals with the FFA.

Walker was born and raised in an active Grange family in rural Perry County. A 4-H member, she holds advanced degrees from Kutztown University, The School for International Training, and Penn State University.

An early experience through IFYE (International 4-H Youth Exchange) to India, led to her life’s work taking her across the globe. Her first “grown-up” job was as an art teacher in an out-post village at Newfoundland, Canada. Later she served as a US Peace Corps Volunteer to the Philippines and managed a rural development project in Uganda, Africa. Nancy worked in eight different countries in East and West Africa, Southeast Asia, Central Asia and Russia with Agricultural Cooperative Development International and Connecting New Frontiers in Agriculture.

Through all her travels, she remained connected to the Grange and now has 50 plus years of membership. She is currently a member of Oliver Grange #1069 and president of the Perry County Pomona #69. Since returning to the family homestead, Walker is enjoying her retirement.