The Importance of Education

As told by Sally Shomo

"As a former FFA member, an agricultural education instructor and FFA advisor, I know firsthand the importance of programs that the National FFA Alumni and Campbell Soup Company barn reviving initiative provide in challenging and engaging our agricultural youth to help them develop into our future leaders. The FFA motto says 'Learning to do.' I can think of no better way to express and make an impact on our young people than to have them participate in this type of service learning project.

The bank barn was built in 1915, with a shed attached as a loafing area for the dairy cattle in 1951. The benefits of the Barn Reviving project will offer a more eye appealing, weather resistant barn as many of the boards have begun to decay with time. A new barn will help boost morale, among other things.

Agriculture is in the blood for the Shomo family. At age 78, Charles still actively farms each day with 26-year-old grandson Bryan. On evening and weekends his son, Scott, and another grandson Justin (all of whom are former FFA members) can always be found on the farm working cattle, planting and harvesting crops and doing maintenance of farm equipment."

The Rollinghills Farm is affiliated with
the Augusta FFA and the alumni.