Our Chapter History
While officially chartered in November of 2015, the dream to begin an agricultural program at Western Christian began in 2012. When these first advocates for the program got together, maybe of them were unsure if the program would ever take off. But with the push across the state to invest in, and go back to offering more "skill level" courses, the dream of having an agricultural program finally became a reality.
When the program did officially begin in 2015, the current advisor, Mrs. Kylie Nettinga, was amazed that the population of students had never had the opportunity to take agricultural courses and be involved with the many opportunities through FFA. With the area being so heavily populated with agriculture, one would not believe why you wouldn't have an agricultural program at Western Christian.
To begin the process, it was first necessary to elect an official officer team. By the work of God, exactly seven members applied to be the charting officer team. Four of those members were able to travel together to the Iowa FFA Headquarters in Ankeny to begin setting the foundation for our chapter today.
Following the selection of the officer team in August of 2015, the first official meeting was held at the Hull Pizza Ranch where 42 students showed up to join the FFA chapter. The initial excitement of that night brought about 52 members that year alone which involved 1/3 of the entire student body at Western Christian High School. Along with the charter of the program, the physical agricultural classroom also had to be developed. The school was undergoing a million-dollar renovation that not only updated and added on to the building, but also included a renovated space for agricultural courses to be held, and a shop that would house agricultural mechanics and welding courses. This space was then finished in December of 2015 and is still new and improving today.
Rolling into the beginning of year four, members, parents, and community members have started to see some traditions develop within the chapter. Some of those traditions that have developed, and that members are very proud of, are: The Fall Farmer Feed (Grain Elevator Meals), Drive Your Tractor to School Day, and activities during National FFA Week.
With the traditions and foundations that have been set so far, Western Christian FFA is very proud of the accomplishments and achievements that have been made thus far. While we are still a young chapter, we are SO excited to see where the Lord is going to lead us in the future. We hope to continue to thrive, continue to better invest in our community, and become a chapter that is recognized within the Iowa FFA Association.
Chapter President Katie Scholten, Sentinel Brianna Kollis, Reporter Samantha Pausma, and Secretary Hayley VanGrootheest were able to travel to central Iowa to begin the process of establishing the Western Christian FFA chapter.
The founding officer team from left to right: Ben Granstra (Chaplin), Drake Granstra (Vice President), Lee Rozeboom (Treasurer), Katie Scholten (President), Brianna Kollis (Sentinel), Hayley VanGrootheest (Secretary), Samantha Pausma (Reporter), and Miss Kylie Miller (Advisor).
Following the Chartering Ceremony, 52 members were inducted as the first official members of the Western Christian FFA chapter. Those members were: In the back (L-->R): Trevor Van't Hul, Justin Bleeker, Micah Uittenbogaard, Shane DeWit, James Warntjes, Cole Wynja, Abby DeVries, Mason Gonnerman, Jessica Kats, Stephanie DeKam, Kaysha Stieger, Andrea Veldman, Shayla Bloemndaal , Alyssa Hofland. Second Row: Joel Bartmaan, Titan Hofman, Carter VandenBos, John DeWit, Trevor Kollis, Jake Uittenbogaard, Mitchel Van't Hul, Larissa DeKam, Dalton Bootsma, Alyssa DeJong, Hannah Johnson, Derrick Jansma, Nicholas Kooima, Jake Altena, John Hofland, Jace Cannegieter, Travis Solsma, Devin Stetson, Jerad Kats and Brady Covey. In front: Advisor, Miss Miller, Lincoln Oostenink, Alyssa Fedders, Brianna Kollis, Hayley VanGrootheest, Katie Scholten, Drake Granstra, Lee Rozeboom, Samantha Pausma, Ben Granstra and Landon Harthoorn.
Not pictured: Austin VanZee, Ross VanBemmel, Jesse VanBemmel, Madison Hofman, Trenton Hoekstra, and Issac Visser.
Greenhouse
Back in 2017, our chapter received a grant from Farm Credit Services of $8,000 to begin putting together a greenhouse. In the fall of 2019, everything started to come to life. With the driving force of our former interim principal, Harlan DeVries, member Western community supporters gathered together to put together the greenhouse!
First State Degree Recipient
In the spring of 2018, Hayley VanGrootheest became the first ever recipient of the State FFA Degree from Western Christian. The degree recognizes members’ achievements within their supervised agricultural experience (SAE), FFA involvement and leadership, and participation in agricultural courses. Members need to earn the Greenhand and Chapter Degree prior to receiving the State FFA Degree. With many hours of work on and off the field with her crop production SAE, countless hours serving as our chapter secretary for the past three years, and heavy involvement in agricultural courses at Western Christian, Van Grootheest was more than deserving of receiving this award. Congrats Hayley!
