Palmer FFA students launch ‘Heifer Project’ to gain hands-on livestock experience

February 21st, 2023

Palmer FFA students are taking ownership of their agricultural education experiences by creating new, hands-on opportunities to learn.

The students are in the process of launching their ‘Heifer Project.’ The project will feature a heifer for the students to be fully responsible for year-round.

Palmer FFA Chapter Reporter Makenna Mottl said the students will be responsible for every aspect of the heifer’s care, including feeding, watering, and calving.

“This is a huge responsibility because you’re taking care of a cow and eventually a calf,” Mottle said. “And this will be good for our animal science students to learn about reproductive things in animals.”

So far, the students have secured a shed for the heifer and all of the fencing supplies with the help of local supporters. The next phase of their project is to build fence and prepare the area for the heifer.

Mottl is a sophomore at Palmer High School. She said she’s active on her family’s cow/calf operation, and she hopes to pursue agriculture education in the future.

Although she’s only a sophomore, Mottl’s leadership has allowed her to be a role model to fellow FFA members and other students.

“Take the opportunities that you get (in FFA) because they will take you great places.”

The ‘Heifer Project’ is funded through the Nebraska FFA Foundation’s Local Chapter Grant program.

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