Twenty Seven members, of the Lord Botetourt FFA, attended a field trip to a beef cattle operation on November 5th. While on the trip, they toured the farm where they were able to see everything involved in the production. They watched a demonstration on how to work and vaccinate beef cattle. After they worked the cattle, they were able to look at the different types of machinery involved in the operation. There, they learned the purpose of each type of machine on the farm and what role it plays in the different aspects of the operation.

Students then had lunch that was provided on the farm and afterwards, students went to an official FFA meeting. During the meeting they were updated on upcoming events including volteering to help with the Pork Chop BBQ for Toys for Bot-E-Tots, Bingo at a local nursing home, preparing Chicken for Fincastle Baptist Church, the annual Fruit sale, can food drive, teacher appreciation breakfast, and our entry of a float in the Fincastle Christmas Parade. Students then participated in a few team building activities. These activities included a trust building, team building and self-confidence activities.

After the meeting, the students got to take a hayride to tour the operation. They were able to see the whole operation, all the cattle, the equipment, as well as conservation techniques that are used on the farm.

At the end of the trip, they went back to school with a better understanding of where their food comes from.

Submitted by Stuart Byrd