Scio FFA says thanks to Hometown Market

Members from the Scio FFA Chapter spent part of their day last Wednesday helping at Scio Hometown Market to say thank you to owner Jim Sheeley for his support of their endeavors. Sheeley has purchased a Scio FFA member's animal at the annual 4H/FFA auction at the Linn County Fair for the past four years. “We are helping around the store because Jim has helped the FFA,” said Kerri Hyde, mother of Jesse Hyde, an FFA member whose swine Sheeley purchased at the recently completed fair.

Seven Scio members, one from Jefferson and Kyndal Porter, a future FFA member, started their day at 9am, rolling up their sleeves to help put freight away. “Wednesday is freight day,” Kerri Hyde explained, as members scampered up and down aisles putting stock where it needed to be.

“Jim's a big supporter,” she said. So big in fact that, this year, he not only purchased the swine, he then donated it back to the chapter. They are selling raffle tickets, with a pair of winners each receiving a half pig, cut and wrapped. Funds raised will be used to pay for chapter members to attend the National FFA Convention, held in Indianapolis in October. Tickets are $1 each and are available at Hometown Market. The drawing will be held after Labor Day.

“We have fun,” Sheeley said of having the kids help out in the store. He said he really appreciates the kids' helping. He smiled and pointed to a spot in the fruit and vegetable aisle as two members passed with pieces of cut and wrapped watermelon. “Over there, girls.”

“Jim has supported our kids and our community,” Kerri Hyde said of Sheeley's involvement. He is one of several area business owners who attend the auction each year. “Our kids could not make it without our local buyers. We appreciate them so very much!”

Not every member who volunteered at the store even show animals. Tyler Garcia, who will be a senior in the fall, is in only his second year in FFA after having moved from Arizona. “Jenny Minten told me to get into ag,” he said as to why he became a member. Last year, Garcia participated in welding and tractor driving. Perhaps being inspired by members who do show animals, Garcia is considering entering that realm for next year's fair. “I might show a Black Angus calf,” he said as he pushed a broom outside the front of the store.

Scio FFA members work year round on everything from entrepreneurship enterprises to their market projects. In addition to raising the animals or creating a sales plan, members must also, among other things, keep detailed records of their endeavors. “It's a huge responsibility and learning experience for them,” Hyde noted. “4H and FFA are amazing programs where I have seen quiet, shy kids grow into confident young leaders.” Hyde is a member of the Scio FFA Alumni Association, a leader for the Santiam Wranglers 4H Club and was the Linn County Fair's Swine Superintendent at the fair last month.

Hometown Market employee Melissa Parr said Sheeley loves supporting the FFA kids being a part of the community. Sheeley has owned Scio Hometown Market for about five and a half years.