Edwardsville High School Agriculture Students Prep for FFA Week

EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School agriculture students will celebrate FFA Week, and they invite the community to join them.

On Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, the Future Farmers of America (FFA) organization will host an ice-skating event from 4–5 p.m. at the R.P. Lumber Center. Students will cook a breakfast for EHS staff members on Tuesday, Feb. 24, and offer ag literacy activities in the morning on Wednesday, Feb. 25. On Thursday, Feb. 26, community members can support the FFA by dining at Culver’s from 5–8 p.m, where proceeds will go back to the organization. The fun concludes with Drive-Your-Tractor-to-School Day on Friday, Feb. 27.

But for the students, the joy of FFA doesn’t start and end with one week. FFA and the agriculture program at EHS are chances to build skills, engage with their passions, and prepare for their future career paths.

“I think that the program gives you great leadership skills and also just gives you more friendships,” said student Macie Wilkinson. “I’ve made some of the best memories from FFA and the best friendships from FFA and agriculture.”

So far this year, the students have made flower arrangements and Christmas wreaths, attended conventions, maintained landscaping at EHS, and planted apple trees with plans for the fruit to be consumed by students through EHS’s food program, among other projects. FFA officer Dylan Henke especially enjoyed educating Midway Elementary School students about crops, and he looks forward to returning to the school in March to talk about livestock.

The organization is currently preparing for their annual plant sale as well as their alumni dinner fundraiser on March 14. Agriculture teacher Joey Birrittier noted that they are “nothing without our alumni,” and he hopes many former ag students and FFA members join them in their upcoming activities. You can learn more about the FFA events, including the alumni dinner fundraiser, at their official Facebook page.

Birrittier added that, in his six months in this role, he has already seen a lot of growth in his students. He is proud that the FFA and agriculture programs can encourage this.

“Each one of these students has shown growth,” he said. “The best part of my job is stepping back and watching these kids, these leaders, take full grasp of the program and what it can be. I’ve seen growth in every single one of these kids. That's the best part.”

And the students have responded to Birrittier, calling him “a big inspiration.” They expressed their appreciation for Birrittier’s commitment to them and their excitement to continue their work.

While a few of the students grew up on farms, most of the FFA members don’t have that traditional farm background. Birrittier wants to demonstrate that you don’t have to grow up on a farm to be involved in agriculture, with an emphasis on all the different career paths available to students.

“I think one of the cool things for me is we have a student population that’s a couple thousand, and we probably have less than 20 that’s from a traditional farm,” he said. “That’s another goal personally for me, who wants to promote ag for these non-farm kids. I want to show them that, hey, you might not be from a farm, but you can work to benefit farmers.”

Student Brooklyn Elliott simply loves to grow plants, and she built and oversees grow towers in the EHS greenhouse. Mason Morfey, an FFA officer, has worked hard to engage the community beyond the school. Both students hope the Culver’s fundraiser encourages community support while the Drive-Your-Tractor-to-School Day promotes visibility of the ag program.

Jemma Dorsey, a student who plans to take over her family farm one day, added that she has gained a lot from her participation in FFA. She encourages people across the region to get involved in their own school programs and to support farmers.

“You learn a lot of leadership qualities and how to be an asset and how to be efficient and do jobs whenever you’re older,” she said. “It really prepares you for later life and being successful.”

To learn more about the Edwardsville High School FFA chapter, visit their official Facebook page. For any questions about the FFA’s upcoming fundraisers and how to support them, you can email Birrittier directly at JBirrittier@ecusd7.org.

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