Lost River FFA members advocate for FFA, Farm to School funding
April 29, 2025 / Two Lost River Junior/Senior High School students testified before the Oregon Legislature’s Ways and Means Committee on April 25, advocating for state funding for FFA and Farm to School programs.
Teah Ongman and Anna Kliewer — both members of the Lost River FFA — spoke on behalf of their school’s programs as well as the Klamath County School District. Kekoa Taipin, KCSD’s Farm to School procurement specialist, and Jennifer Detwiler, KCSD’s Food Services supervisor, registered to testify at the hearing and invited Ongman and Kliewer to give the presentation.
“Teah and Anna did an outstanding job representing KCSD’s Farm to School and FFA programs,” Detwiler said. “Through their presentation, they demonstrated how these programs work together. By raising and growing their projects to maturity, and then harvesting and serving them in our cafeterias, students not only learn where their food comes from but also develop lifelong skills such as responsibility, hard work, and perseverance. They show personal growth and leadership while honoring their community and supporting local agriculture.”
Earlier that day, Taipin and Detwiler toured Shasta Elementary and Mazama High schools with members of the Ways and Means Committee and were able to talk with members about the district’s Farm to School program. The program purchases Oregon-grown and hyperlocal produce and meat for school cafeterias and plays an important role in the community. At Mazama, lawmakers sampled a selection of recipes served in KCSD cafeterias, including biscuits and gravy made with ground pork raised by Lost River FFA students, marionberry oat bars made with locally sourced oats and berries, and country potatoes prepared with Circle C fingerling potatoes. Committee members also received a gift of a dozen eggs, courtesy of chickens raised by Lost River FFA and agricultural science students.
Detwiler noted that the district’s Food Services Team is advocating in support of House Bill 5006, which aligns with HB 3435 (School Meals for All) and HB 2444 (Oregon FFA Summer Duty Contract Grant). The Oregon Farm to School program has also requested an increase in statewide funding this year—from $10 million to $12 million from the Oregon Department of Education, along with an additional $1 million from the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
