Canton to host students in FFA

CANTON — Canton Central School will be filled for three days with more than 950 students from 71 schools trying out their skills in agricultural mechanics, prepared speaking and small-animal care, among other subjects.

The Canton chapter of FFA will host the 83rd state convention of the group for the first time in 25 years Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

"It's a great honor," Canton Central Superintendent William A. Gregory said. "It certainly is good for our local economy."

FFA used to stand for Future Farmers of America but simply uses the short version these days.

"Here at Canton, we call it Fun for All," adviser Carol A. Wright said. "If people want to stop by, they're more than welcome to check it out."

The Canton chapter won a contest to host the convention in January 2007.

"You had to actually put in a bid," Mrs. Wright said. "They competed against a downstate school and did very well."

Some visiting FFA students had to find accommodations as far away as Hogansburg and Cranberry Lake, Mrs. Wright said.

The convention started out at SUNY Canton, but its Dana Hall Alumni Gymnasium was closed for structural deficiencies. The Canton Central School District Board of Education agreed to change the district's academic calendar so the convention could take place at the school.

"We switched one of our staff development days to accommodate it," Mr. Gregory said. "It would have been impossible to host the convention and have school at the same time."

Canton Central will dismiss all classes at 11:30 a.m. Thursday. The district will be closed Friday for staff professional development conferences. Some teachers will serve as judges, but most will attend their own workshops in the elementary school.

State Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Patrick M. Hooker will attend Saturday and state Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, also is expected.

Winners of the various competitions will represent the state at the FFA national convention in October in Indianapolis, Ind.

When visiting students aren't involved in a competition Thursday and Friday, they may tour other parts of the county.

Tours will include stops at Eisenhower Lock and New York Power Authority in Massena; Heritage Cheese and Pickens General Store in Heuvelton; Woody's maple syrup operation and the Steve Morrill farm in Hermon; the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority and Frederic Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg; the four colleges in Canton and Potsdam; well-known farms in Canton, Potsdam and Madrid; Breyer's yogurt plant in North Lawrence, a buffalo farm, a heifer-raising facility, an animal feed plant and the sights in Canton, including the Silas Wright House.

The convention will serve as the beginning of a busy weekend in Canton, as the community's annual canoe weekend is Saturday and Sunday.