Written by: Hunter Lackey, 2026-2027 Racine Southern FFA Historian
Each year, the Southern FFA Chapter officer team takes a four-day retreat to a location selected by the officers within restrictions. This year, the team traveled to Red River Gorge Kentucky to prepare for the upcoming FFA year.
This year President- Tyson Hupp, Vice president- Marcy Evans, Treasurer-Austin Gaskill, Secretary- Bella Johnson, Reporter- Tanner Robson, Sentinel- Bryer Holley, Historian- Hunter Lackey, alumni members Tony and Rachel Hupp, and advisor Jenna Meeks all attended the retreat this year.
During the retreat, officers worked together to develop and review the chapter’s Program of Activities (POA), as well as discuss chapter goals and initiatives for the year ahead. This planning time allowed the team to establish a clear vision and prepare for a successful year of activities. The following was planned:
2026-2027 Racine Southern FFA Planned Activities for Program of Activities (POA)
Strengthening Agriculture
Support Group (Cooperating with others to support ag ed)
Chair: Tyson Hupp/Ms. Meeks
Ohio River Producers
Athens/Meigs Farm Bureau
Meigs County OSU Extension
Meigs County Soil and Water Conservation
Southern Local School Board
Southern Local Staff
Southern PTO
CDE Coaches
Alumni Gun Raffle (Ohio River Producers/Austin Gaskill)
Chapter Recruitment (Increased student participation)
Chair: Isabella Johnson
Letters to 8th grade parents--Spring, 3rd 9 weeks
Free subscription to FFA New Horizon Magazine (to all new ag members)
Petting Zoo/Easter Egg Hunt
Ag Class Advertisement
FFA Friend Pass (Bring a friend to a meeting)
Safety (Improving safety in the community and with students)
Chair: Tyson Hupp
Quality Assurance
Woodworking and Welding Safety Demonstrations
Stop The Spark Initiative (Donate Fire Prevention Items/Public Safety to the Local Fire Departments)
Safety From Farm to Field (ATV/Tractor/Farm Safety Day)
Firearm Safety
Agriculture Advocacy (Promoting Ag Ed and encouraging action)
Chair: Tanner Robson
Co-Chair: Hunter Lackey/Tanner Robson
Newspaper Articles (Historian/Hunter Lackey)
Chapter Scrapbook (Reporter/Tanner Robson)
National Teach Agriculture Education Day
National Chapter Award Application
FFA Night--OSU Hockey Game
Newsletter- with ORP
Pasture to Plate
National Ag Day
Agriculture Literacy (Promoting Ag through educating the public)
Chair: Tanner Robson
Agriculture in the classroom (3rd grade)
Meigs Co. 4th Grade Ag Day/Farm Bureau
Pop Bottle Plants with Head Start Students
Homecoming Float
Livestock Judging Contest hosted at Meigs Fair
Donated books to Southern Literacy Night
Racine Southern FFA Facebook/Instagram Posts
Online School Calendar
Truth or Trash (6th Grade)
Building Communities
Environmental Activities (Promoting conservation)
Chair: Hunter Lackey
Plant Trees
Can/Tab Recycling Program
Composting
Invasive Species Wanted Banner
Frog Jumping with Kindergarten
Reel it in, Recycle it
Human Resources (Promoting wellbeing of members and community)
Chair: Austin Gaskill/Greenhouse Class
Food Baskets
School Hydroponics System
School Greenhouse
Veterans Wellness Outreach
Donate Personal Hygiene Items
A Place to Rest (Building bed frames for families in need)
Packs from Protectors (Backpack program for kids in emergencies)
Citizenship (Encouraging community engagement)
Chair: Hunter Lackey
Southern Local Schools Angel Tree (Gift donations)
Angel Tree @ Nursing Home
Legislative Event—Attend/Host Co. Commissioner Meeting
Flags/Wreaths Removal from Graves
Christmas Tree in the Park
Litter Legends Park Cleanup
Stakeholder Engagement (Connecting with program stakeholders)
Chair: Bryer Holley
Attend School Board Meeting
Blue Jacket Program
FFA Week—Staff Appreciation
Ag On The Air
Junior Fairboard
Economic Development (Developing economic growth in the community)
Chair: Treasurer/Austin Gaskill
Co Chairs: See Below
SAE Economic Impact (Meeks)
Gear (Tanner Robson)
Strawberries (Marcy Evans)
Plant Sale (Greenhouse Class)
Water Sales (Meeks/Officer Team)
Catfish Tournament (Tyson Hupp)
Shark Tank-Drink Cart (Work Study Class)
Growing Leaders
Leadership (Building student leaders)
Chair: Austin Gaskill
Public Speaking In class
Job Interview & FFA Creed Career Development Events
D10 Leadership Night
Blue and Gold Officer Planning Retreat
Chapter Christmas Party
Healthy Lifestyle (Improving students health)
Chair: Marcy Evans
Ag Olympics (FFA Week Kick Off)
Fuel For the Future (Elementary (2nd grade)-Try New Fruits)
Hydrating Healthy Futures (FFA Water Challenge)
Handwashing Demonstration (1st Grade)
Scholarship (Encouraging lifelong learning)
Chair: Bryer Holley
College tours—OSU, Hocking, Wilmington, ATI, Hobart
Ohio River Producers Scholarship
Cultivating Academic Excellence (FFA-Honor Roll Breakfast)
Ag Fast Pass (Keep grades up to go on trips)
Personal Growth (Helping students discover their talents and achieve life goals)
Chair: Secretary/Bella Johnson
Chair: President/Tyson Hupp and Vice President/Marcy evans
FFA Degrees
FFA Points
Discovery/Greenhand Degree/Chapter Degree Ceremonies
Annual Awards Banquet/Picnic
Money Grows Here (Fundraise to go on trips)
Career Success (Promoting student involvement in ag and careers)
Chair: Isabella Johnson
Career Development Events--Soils, Livestock, Job Interview, Creed, Ag Mechanics
Trips:
National FFA Convention, Farm Science Review, Quarter Horse Congress, State FFA Convention, Ag Tours
Guest Speakers
Classroom/Meetings
Career Palooza
During our retreat, we discussed each event on the program of activities and planned out all of our events for the upcoming year. Above is our complete Program of Activities (POA), which details all events and the individuals in charge of them.
The trip also provided excellent opportunities to explore the surrounding area, visit local landmarks, and learn directly from successful business owners. Officers heard firsthand accounts of how these entrepreneurs built their companies, gaining valuable lessons in leadership, entrepreneurship, and perseverance.
We would like thank all of the local businesses that hosted us:
Holbrook Equipment for giving us a tour, explaining their services, and sharing the story of their company's growth.
Creech Produce Market for showing us how their small business grew and gained popularity in the community.
Holbrook Farms for giving us an inside look at their cattle operations.
UK Martin-Gatton Research Centers for teaching us how their operation works and the impact of what they do.
We also want to thank the Wolfe Co. Extension office for providing us with fantastic local tours and lunch.
Along with being highly productive, the retreat gave our officers time to relax, strengthen their relationships, and build teamwork. Overall, the Kentucky retreat was a great way for the Southern FFA officers to start the new year prepared, connected, and ready to lead.
