‘We’re planting seeds’

MOSES LAKE — Othello High School ag teacher Chris Baginski said there’s plenty of opportunity in agriculture, and one of the goals of FFA is to show students what’s possible, no matter their background.  

Many FFA participants don’t have farm experience, he said, but there’s room in agriculture nonetheless. 

“You can work in the industry, and there are thousands of jobs in the industry that need to be filled," Baginski said. "That FFA provides that avenue, and that’s a big part of it. We’re planting seeds." 

While the Othello FFA chapter had its share of exhibitors at the Grant County Fair, Baginski said FFA in 2026 gives students experience in a lot of different activities. 

“It's more of a leadership and developing inner qualities amongst the kids, more than it is showing animals at the fair anymore," he said. "There are so many more competitions now that are student-led. When I was in FFA, a lot of it was showing animals, evaluating animals, produce judging, and now there's a whole other side of it where they're doing extemporaneous speaking, ag issues, job interviews, ag education.”  

Ryan Sams, of Othello, said his children have learned a lot from their participation in ag programs, both 4-H and FFA. 

“I think the kids get a lot out of 4-H and FFA. They get to see the sense of community," Ryan Sams said. "They get to learn how to help each other, get to learn about their projects. They get to learn about a lot of responsibility. Our kids are up early in the morning feeding their animals, sometimes late at night working with their animals, so there's a lot of commitment to it. I think it teaches them a lot of things about life.” 

Othello FFA member Cayla Hampton said the program pushed her in directions she didn’t expect to go.  

“If anything, it's taught me to be more outgoing,” Hampton said. “It helped me with my public speaking skills. Making friends and just getting out there.” 

Poppy Stromberg said the lessons she’s learned in FFA extend beyond the technical skills gained. 

“I think it helped me get a sense of community and teamwork,” Stromberg said. “Everyone works together to get things done. It’s community building.” 

People sometimes get the wrong idea, Hampton said. 

“People think it’s just animals and farming, but there’s public speaking that you do," she said. "You prepare slideshows. You have competitions you go to. You talk with little kids and it helps you better understand speaking and how to communicate with people.” 

Greyson Sams said he’s had a chance to experience all kinds of activities, some he didn’t expect at all. 

“We got to do trap shooting last year. Super-fun, Greyson Sams said. "I went to state convention. That was really fun. We did a whole bunch of stuff there – I got thrown into beef judging. I didn’t know what I was doing, we just needed another person. I did tractor driving at the fair in Othello, but I didn’t do very good because I can’t drive yet. Only 15.”  

The FFA program is also a good way to make connections, he said. 

“At the fair you’re doing ag stuff all the time. It’s a good way to meet people like that, and you meet people you might end up working for one of these days,” he said.  

    Greyson Sams helps his pig keep cool at the Grant County Fair Tuesday. Sams is an Othello FFA member, and said the program is a good way to make connections in the ag industry.