Sauk Prairie FFA History

The Sauk Prairie Agricultural Education Department was started as two separate programs dating back to 1916.  The Sauk Prairie Area had two separate high schools; Sauk City High School and Prairie du Sac High School.  Each school had an Agricultural Education Program; Prairie du Sac started in 1916 and Sauk City in 1938.  The Prairie du Sac Agriculture Education Department is the oldest in Sauk County.  It is known that the Prairie du Sac Future Farmers of America club was on of the first established in the state of Wisconsin.  The charter date for this chapter was October 26, 1929.  At this time there were 37 boys enrolled in courses.  Back in the 1920’s, the curriculum consisted of a four year course schedule: Freshman – Plant Husbandry, Sophomore – Animal Husbandry, Junior – Farm Mechanics, and Senior – Farm Economics.  The charter date for the Sauk City Future Farmers of America club is currently unknown but is believed to be 1938.  In the 1960’s when the schools combined into one, so too did the Agriculture Programs.  For the first year, the two Future Farmers of America clubs retained their independence, but one year later they combined and the Sauk Prairie FFA was formed.  In 1988, along with the National Future Farmers of America, the Sauk Prairie Future Farmers of America changed its name to Sauk Prairie FFA.  Along with the name changes of the organization, Sauk Prairie has also seen changes in the courses that are offered and the program of activities that are conducted throughout the year.

A 218-member FFA Alumni organization sponsors fundraisers and community events to help send FFA members to conventions, conferences, and competitions.  This group is comprised of former students, parents of FFA members, and many other community members.  They meet once per month with either a formal meeting or a business tour.  Their major fundraisers include the tractor pulls in the spring and fall, consignment auction, sportsman’s banquet, fish fry & gun raffle, and the spring raffle.  This group also helps provide funding to enhance the Agricultural Education Program facilities.  In addition, an Advisory Council exists to provide community support for agricultural education and to offer guidance and feedback about updating agricultural courses, curriculum, and technology.