Talawanda/Butler Tech FFA Chapter welcomed Director Brian Baldridge from the Ohio Department of Agriculture, highlighting their agricultural program and celebrating the impact of their grant funded Farmer Recharge Program.
Director Baldridge, alongside students and Talawanda and Butler Tech staff, took a tour of the classrooms and greenhouse at Talawanda High School, where they explored additional projects dedicated to agriculture. The visit not only showcased the chapter’s commitment to agricultural education but highlighted their recent achievements through the Farmer Recharge Program, made possible by a generous grant from the Ohio FFA Foundation.
The Farmer Recharge Program was developed to enhance fire safety for local farmers by providing education and resources. The initiative focuses on fire safety by evaluating, servicing, and replacing outdated fire extinguishers and distributing fire safety kits that include fire blankets, first aid supplies, and other emergency equipment.
“With this program, we’ve directly supported our local farmers by ensuring their readiness for fire-related emergencies, which are a significant risk in agricultural operations,” detailed Kari Roberts, Talawanda/Butler Tech FFA advisor.
During his address, Director Baldridge praised the FFA members for their proactive efforts and shared personal anecdotes from his own experiences in agriculture, emphasizing the vast opportunities the field offers. “Agriculture has been a way of life for many, and seeing young leaders emerge from programs like these is truly inspiring,” said Baldridge.
The Farmer Recharge Program involved farmers from the Oxford area bringing 42 fire extinguishers for inspection, with 22 being recharged and 20 retired due to age and wear, the oldest from 1963. This proactive measure has heightened the community’s awareness and preparedness for handling fire emergencies. The program was well-received, sparking interest in making it an annual event to continuously improve local farm safety standards.
The students also presented their project’s outcomes at the annual Seed & Feed Auction, raising awareness and further extending the program’s reach. “Seeing our project come to life and positively impact our community has been incredibly rewarding,” said Shelby Tussey, a senior FFA member.
