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Farmapalooza is a much-anticipated yearly event. This event is sponsored by the Sterling FFA Chapter, where members plan, brainstorm, and organize booths for students of all ages to enjoy. These booths helped attendees learn about agriculture.

In 2020, Farmapalooza had to be delayed because of COVID. The COVID delay initially lasted for two years, and the event eventually came back around in 2022 for the students.

This year, all SPS students were able to attend with students from elementary school, middle school, and high school. Farmapalooza invited Shebly Raes, Culvers, and Roger That Coffee.

Senior Taah Liberty said, “I enjoyed getting Shelby Raes during Farmapalooza because I like to get a sweet treat from there.”

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Farmapalooza was led by Megan Stanley and Taylor Irvin, and they had twelve student-led booths and six industry-led booths. The student-led booths were the invasive fish, tillage practices, human impact on the environment, soil & root systems, farm equipment, Illinois agriculture, taxidermy, horses, ducks & chickens, cows, woodworking, and veterinary science. The industry-led booths were Culver’s, Farm to Spoon, Birkeys: Precision Ag (Drones), Gold Star FS, Sauk Valley Bank, and WCFB Ag In The Classroom: Corn Plastic.

Stanley said, “This is the eighth or ninth year that Sterling FFA has been doing Farmapalooza.”

Farmapalooza also had plenty of sponsors and industry professionals that helped them out. These sponsors were Rock River Lumber and Grain Co., Reaver Plumbing and Heating, Walmart Distribution Center, Altorfer Ag products, MJ seed agency, Zoeller Ag services, Gold Star FS, inc., Myles Kukowski, Culver’s, Ag Perspective inc, Morrison Veterinary Clinic, and Shelby Raes.

Sophomore Charles Nawrocki said, “I enjoyed the wide variety of food and animals that were present because it made it more exciting. I also liked the greenhouse because I was able to buy my mom flowers for Mother’s Day.”

Events like Farmapalooza not only provide hands-on learning opportunities, but also help students discover potential career paths in agriculture and related industries. The continued support from local businesses and community members highlights just how valuable this event is. Overall, Farmapoolza was a big hit this year and was appreciated by many students and staff.