California FFA News Early Summer 2014 | Page 8

Earth Day: A Sea of Blue to a Field of Green The FFA Center belongs to past, present, and future members of California FFA. Built back in 2007, it was time to revitalize the landscaping of California FFA’s home. On April 22, efforts from around the state converged for an amazing refresh to the FFA Center and to celebrate Earth Day. The effort started back in December with a call to all chapters to help grow replacement plants; the response was promising. Plants started appearing in January with the last batch arriving all the way from Palmdale the week of State Conference. A big thank you to Atwater FFA, College of the Sequoias, Hamilton City FFA, Madera FFA, Palmdale FFA, Petersons Nursery, Reedley FFA, Taft FFA, Tulare FFA, Pitman FFA, and Ventura FFA for donating plants. As the date drew closer the local community joined in the effort with Acampo Tree Service and Micke Grove Regional Park donating bark from downed trees that were chipped. Liberty Ranch FFA also pitched in by donating tools for the day – a huge help! On the morning of Earth Day, 100 high school students and 15 adults gathered at the FFA Center in Galt. Neighboring chapters provided landscaping expertise and muscle power - thank you to Elk Grove FFA, Galt FFA, Lodi FFA, Pleasant Grove FFA, and Sheldon FFA. Once participants changed into their commemorative t-shirts the usual sea of blue corduroy turned into a field of green. Students divided into groups for a variety of projects: planting replacement plants, extracting dead and harmful vegetation, dispersing bark, removing tree stakes, installing sponsor bricks, and trimming vegetation. One of the more challenging projects was removing volunteer palm trees that sprouted up too close to sidewalks and buildings. Getting the trees out was complicated enough, but when a water pipe cracked during the process the whole project turned into a