By JESSICA NAFE
NRHEG FFA Reporter
There is a new crop in the area this year.
Some members of the NRHEG FFA have been growing pink colored pumpkins this season.
The idea came about from an article in the FFA New Horizons magazine titled “Pumpkins for a Cure.” America’s pumpkin growers created The Pink Pumpkin Patch Foundation in 2012 to be able to award grants to aid breast cancer research. The article was written about a member of the Holcomb, Kansas FFA chapter who set up a plan for groups like FFA and 4-H to obtain seeds and plant the pumpkins. The groups would then sell the pumpkins and donate 50 percent of the proceeds back to the foundation. There are now about 40 states that have FFA and 4-H chapters involved.
“It was a new and unique way to incorporate agriculture into a worthy cause,” said Dan Sorum, NRHEG FFA Advisor. “Originally, I planned to donate all the proceeds, but when the opportunity to build a school greenhouse was brought to me, I decided this would also be a great way to raise funds for that as well.”The NRHEG FFA chapter saw this as a great opportunity to connect with other chapters across the country in aiding breast cancer research and using the other 50 percent of the proceeds to help raise money for their own project of building a school greenhouse. What better way to do it than by growing something?
There are about five students who tried growing the pumpkins this year besides Sorum himself ,and another patch planted in the school garden. In total, there are about 100 pumpkins that will be sold during the fall season or until they are gone. The early frost in September was not good for the pumpkins, but overall for the first try the numbers were not too bad. Some have more of a pink coloring then others, some are big while others are smaller, but all the money raised from them will be going to two great causes.
For FFA Treasurer Jack Skalicky, aiding in the fight against breast cancer was a great reason to grow the pumpkins and helping the school with building a green house is a plus.
“My aunt is a breast cancer survivor and if it wasn’t for the research they do she might not still be here,” Jack said. “And the school having a greenhouse would be an awesome addition to the Ag classes.”
Tina Quezada, the chapter historian, agreed with Jack wholeheartedly.
“I think the fact that I know it’s going for a good cause was the best part. The reward of the outcome,” she said.
The pink pumpkins will be sold at various NRHEG sporting events and at some local businesses. The pumpkins will range from $7 to $15, depending on the individual pumpkin. If your business is interested in aiding the FFA chapter in selling the pink pumpkins, please contact Dan Sorum through NRHEG High School.