To the Editor:

It has been brought to the attention of the members of the Mt. Vernon Grange that the School District 3 Board is proposing dropping the Grant Union High School agriculture program and thus the FFA from the curriculum due to budget cuts. We, as an agricultural based organization in the agricultural based community of the John Day Valley, oppose this action.

We believe that the skills and lessons for life that the agriculture program and FFA instill in its students is a vital part of keeping agriculture alive and well for the future not only in the John Day Valley but nationwide. To quote a recent news release, found in the April issue of The Nevada Rancher:

“Business and industry become involved in the … FFA organization because premier leadership, personal growth and career success are the keys to successful employees and a future agricultural workforce.”

“As agriculture continues to change, we need young people trained and interested in entering this important and dynamic field,” said Glen A. Stith vice president, Monsaonto Company, and 2007 National FFA sponsors board chairman. “As believers in the value of FFA and agricultural education, we can rest assured that our efforts are helping nearly 500,000 young people for a life of service within their communities and the agricultural industry,” he said.

A successful active FFA program can promote these values in students at Grant Union High School with far greater results than many other programs in the school curriculum. We urge the board to take a look at those blue and gold jackets and feel the pride of those students before destroying this element of success and pride in the students of John Day.

Gene Brady, Grange Master and members of the Mt. Vernon Grange

Mt. Vernon