The Tulelake FFA School Farm is growing by leaps and bounds H&N photo by Holly Owens Tulelake FFA student Jesus Jiminez stands in front of a freshly cut alfalfa field near the Tulelake-Butte Valley Fairgrounds in July. The 20-acre parcel, and an additional 60 acres of mint, barley and alfalfa, are grown by students on school farm. A 105 horsepower Ford New Holland tractor was purchased in 2005.

    Last spring, the Tulelake Basin Joint Unified School District and the Tulelake Agriculture Department purchased a new 105-horsepower Ford New Holland tractor for use on the 80-acre school farm. The new tractor will be used for production agriculture, education classes and FFA competitions. The agriculture department is paying back the school district through crop revenues.
   This past growing season, the school farm grew 40 acres of alfalfa, 16 acres of grain and 15 acres of mint. Discing, plowing, viber shanking, harrowing, ripping, chopping, clod stomping, ring rolling, and drilling seed are some of the jobs done by the new tractor. During agriculture classes students learn the fundamentals and safety of tractor use. Also this fall, during the Tulelake-Butte Valley Fair, the Tulelake FFA organized a farm power and machinery contest, where local FFA members competed, and the new tractor was used again.
   The school farm has been successful over the years with the help of time and effort from the community.
   Lee McKoen, 3-M Mint Co., Callison Mint Co., Basin Fertilizer and Macy’s Flying Service have assisted either in planting, spraying, fertilizing, harvesting or producing the mint.
   Luis Aceves, Tri-County Ag, Macy’s Flying Service and Winema Elevators helped with the wheat crop. Joe and Rhonda Hemphill and Hall Farms helped harvest the alfalfa crops.
   Having a school farm provides summer jobs for students and work experience.
   Since 2003, students have earned more than $10,000 working in production agriculture. Profits from the farm not only pay for the new tractor, but for leadership conferences, speaking competitions, awards and scholarships for seniors.