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The Troup County High School FFA is gearing up for its annual FFA week that not only encourages new members to join but also makes an impact on the community.

FFA Advisor Shelby Waldroup said the members are focusing on cleaning up the campus and the community.

“We’ve heard a lot of grief about the Great Wolf Lodge area needing some cleanup help so we’re all going to serve,” Waldroup said.

The students also plan on cooking breakfast for all THS teachers Tuesday morning.

“We just want to show them that we appreciate them and all the hard work they did throughout the year for the students and us,” Waldroup said. “We are also working with our middle school chapter to help train them as well.”

Members have also been working on new bird and owl houses for West Point Lake.

“On Friday, we are teaming up with the West Point Lake Army Corps of Engineers to replace the boxes that are dilapidated,” Waldroup said.

“We have been replacing them every year for about 15 years now. The Army Corps of Engineers provides the lumber and our agriculture mechanics classes build these houses just to make sure that they have appropriate habitats.”

Waldroup said that the bird box houses ensures the lake has wildlife diversity. She added that the week always reignites the member’s passion.

At Troup High, every agriculture education student is a member of the National FFA organization and FFA membership, along with class and lab plus a Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE) project, make up a complete agriculture education curriculum.

“It really focuses on their premier leadership, personal growth and career success through a culture education program,” Waldroup said.

“We want people to know about our organization and get involved in the community aspect of it. I really want our students to have opportunities to get out there and network with individuals and learn how to be more selfless.”

Each year, FFA chapters around the country celebrate National FFA Week. It’s a time to share what FFA is and the impact it has on members every day.

Waldroup said other FFA Chapters at Callaway High School, LaGrange High School, Long Cane Middle School and Gardner Newman Middle School are also planning their National FFA Week at some point during February or March.

“One thing I really take pride in is getting them to have ownership in these projects and you can really see the ownership and the pride they have in all these events,” Waldroup said. “They’re jumping in, and they’re making sure things are getting done.”