Spring, summer busy times for FFA, 4-H members

COLUMBIA BASIN — Spring is a busy time for many local Future Farmers of America chapters, summer a little less so. But 4-H and FFA participants spend part of their summers working on their projects for the fair, wherever that fair is and however many fairs they attend. Quincy High School FFA co-advisor Rod Cool listed a flurry of FFA activities in April and May, starting with district contests that test skills like horse judging. They are scheduled for late April. Many FFA chapters in eastern Washington, QHS among them, earn money for chapter activities and give people a kickstart for their gardens with early spring plant sales, usually in late April and early May. The annual FFA state convention is scheduled for May 10 through 13 in Kennewick. Along with general sessions and awards, there are a plethora of contests. Participants qualify for state competition by advancing through regional rounds.