CARIBOU, Maine — The Future Farmers of America program at Caribou High School is the oldest FFA chapter in the state of Maine. A longstanding program that has generated a great deal of interest from students over the decades, FFA at the local high school has only grown stronger in recent years.
Scott Moir, who has a strong agricultural background, has been the adviser of the club since 2015. A former FFA member himself, Moir was an officer for the club when he attended Caribou High School as a student.
Seventeen students are currently members of the club and have been busy this winter with a variety of welding projects and working on small engine repair.
“We’re building a snow pusher,” said Moir, pointing out professional quality welds on the loader of a tractor at the Caribou Technology Center. Moir said that many of the students in the chapter are particularly interested in welding and doing mechanical work.
One shiny John Deere tractor is a testament to the students’ skills and hard work. Moir said it had been quite rusty but students made repairs and applied a like-new paint job. Another Case tractor, stripped of sheet metal, waited for the same treatment.
“The kids are going to make it look new again,” said Moir.
Many members of the Future Farmers of America program at Caribou High School are particularly interested in welding. (Courtesy of John O’Meara)
The club also does quite a bit of work growing vegetables — both in the field and in a greenhouse. This year, the chapter plans to grow five acres of potatoes and sell them under contract to a processor. For that job, a Lockwood harvester was purchased from a local farmer. Other recent shop upgrades include a new welder that can allow students to hone their skills with either MIG, TIG, or stick welding.
When students are involved in Caribou’s FFA chapter “they get involved in a little bit of everything,” Moir said.
He is ambitious for the future of the FFA chapter at Caribou High School, and though student participation has more than doubled in the last four years, Moir wants to get more students involved.
He described the goals of the FFA as broad based and listed several jobs necessary to agriculture.
“They need electricians, soil scientists, mechanics, welders — it’s endless.”
Last year, the FFA celebrated its annual banquet at the high school with a pig roast. A locally raised hog was served, along with baked potatoes grown at the school. Another pig roast will be happening this year.
In May, the Caribou High School FFA chapter will be going to Orono to compete on the state level in events focused on a diverse group off topics, including welding, small engine repair, and electrical work.
“We’ll practice all winter,” Moir said.
Moir emphasizes that students in the FFA chapter at Caribou High School are learning a set of skills to which many students are currently not exposed.
Vegetables grown by the FFA also are available in season at Caribou High School. Contact the school for more information. 493-4260.
