Moses Lake FFA pumpkin patch provides opportunity to socialize, raise funds

MOSES LAKE — Saturday was the last day for the Moses Lake FFA pumpkin sale.

“We’ve had a great turnout with the pandemic,” said Emily Merrigan, FFA adviser and teacher at Moses Lake High School.

The Moses Lake FFA has only recently started doing the pumpkin patch. In the past, it had incorporated a petting zoo and had popcorn. But because of COVID-19, the activities had to be limited to just picking out pumpkins.

But that didn’t stop the FFA students from carving pumpkins during the down times.

“We have to follow CDC guidelines,” Merrigan said. “We still want to provide opportunities to students.”

It was the first time that the students had been able to get together this school year.

“That is why we have so many kids,” Merrigan said. “It’s the only thing available.”

This year’s pumpkin patch brought in over $3,000 for the Moses Lake FFA chapter. The chapter uses the money to pay for travel expenses for students.

“Part of participation in a normal year is traveling,” Merrigan said. “We don’t think the kids should have to pay. This pays for travel and hotels. It is very little cost to them.”

Because of COVID-19, travel has been completely halted. Most competitions have been pushed to the spring in hopes that things will be back to some sort of normal.

The lack of fall competitions hasn’t stopped incoming freshmen from joining the FFA and helping out with the pumpkin patch.

“We’ve had a great turnout for the freshman class,” Merrigan said. “I’m really impressed with them so far. They’re hard workers. I’m ready to be back in person and get to know them.”

Rachal Pinkerton can be reached via email at rpinkerton@columbiabasinherald.com.