Soroco HS dedicates the AG Ed Building and celebrates FFA program

May 11, 2023 Shannon Lukens

By Shannon Lukens.

The Agriculture Education Building was officially dedicated Wednesday night, at Soroco High School in Oak Creek. Dr. Kirk Henwood is the superintendent of the South Routt School District.

“Because not only are we a model and a go-to for the state, but really we’re a model for the nation and people come from around the nation to see our program. And not only what current agriculture looks like in the future.”

The FFA program at Soroco High School was award a RISE (Response, Innovation, and Student Equity Fund) grant for $1,000,050, and more grants have followed from Yampa Valley Community Foundation. That has resulted in a second ag teacher for the program, Reece Melton. And also kitchens, classrooms, and a greenhouse. At Soroco High School, 72% of the student body is involved in the FFA program. The goal of the nationwide FFA program is to get students career ready.

Kayla Rossi has gone through the FFA program at Soroco High School and is now the treasurer for the Colorado FFA Association.

“One thing that is pretty interesting about Soroco is that we got the RISE grant which allows us to get six different pathways and teach them. But I think the major changes that we’ve seen is the new greenhouse, we have a new kitchen as well as we got new welders for our shop. But I think the biggest difference is that instead of one teacher, we now have two teachers which is a huge impact on the students lives.”

Rossi’s term ends June 8. She’ll attend University of Wyoming in the fall.

Commissioner Kate Greenberg with the Colorado Department of Agriculture was the guest speaker at Wednesday night’s banquet dinner.

Officers were elected at the event for the Soroco FFA. They are:

Larhae Whaley, President
Carmen Anarella, Vice President
Rachelle Dudley, Secretary
Olivia Rossi, Treasurer
Ruby Hill, Reporter,
Alan Mayer, Sentinel
Executive Committee: Timothy Bedell, Landon Ripley, and Emily Rossi
District 1 President is Carmen Anarella
District 1 Vice President is Rachelle Dudley

(District 1 includes the following schools: Meeker, Moffat County, West Grand, Hayden, Rifle, North Park, Soroco, Coal Ridge, and Rangely)

Here’s more from the tour of the Ag Ed Building at Soroco High School.

This is a new shed that was designed, resourced, and completely built by the students in the FFA program. It has been sold to to a BBQ spot on Main Street in Oak Creek.

Four new welding booths have been added for a total of eight in the Ag Ed Building. Students can now get three welding certifications at Soroco High School.