The following is a press Release for the Chelan High School Agriculture Education Department and the Chelan FFA. We would appreciate any and all coverage of our events and student successes. For more information, contact our Chapter Advisor, Rod Cool, or Chapter Reporter, Chelsea Gocke at (509) 682-4061 ext 129 during school hours.

Thank you for your time and consideration and for your continued support of the Chelan FFA and high school agriculture education.

Chelan High School

Agriculture Education Deparment/Chelan FFA

News Release

25 Feb 08

For Immediate Release

Forty-three Chelan FFA members travel to Morgan Owings Elementary to work with all the fourth grade classes on Project PALS. Partners in Active Learning Support (PALS) is a national mentorship program sponsored by the National FFA. The Chelan FFA is a recognized leader in the PALS program in the nation for their PALS program which includes the fourth grade program, afters, and the Beebe Springs project.

The Fourth Grade PALS program was coordinated by Chelan FFA Reporter, Chelsea Gocke and centered on math skills. FFA members were matched up with pairs of fourth graders in the classes Mr. James, Mrs. Benson, Mrs. Burdick, Mr. Craven, and Mrs. Curry. The students had to graph the percentage of Americans who lived on farms from 1790 to the present and then had to graph the productivity of American Farmers from 1790 to the present and compare the two representations. They also explored where your food dollar goes. They also did an activity were students represented all aspects of the food distribution chain from producer to consumer. The fourth graders were also given a newspaper from Washington State Ag in the Classroom that increased agriculture awareness in the fourth grade students. The FFA members went to recess with the fourth grades and played kickball, tetherball, and on the big toys.

The purpose of the PALS program is to increase agricultural awareness, provide positive role models for elementary students, and build community development skills for FFA members.