The Wisconsin FFA Day of Service is returning to the Madison community for the first time since 2019. Members will have the opportunity to put into action the “living to serve” line of the FFA motto on June 12 by participating in community service projects at the beginning of the Wisconsin FFA Convention. The Wisconsin FFA Convention will be held at the Alliant Energy Center June 12 -15.

“We are ecstatic for the return of the Day of Service to our convention,” said Executive Director Cheryl Zimmerman. “This event allows Wisconsin FFA members to come to together in unity to make the world a better place through their actions of servant leadership.”

Members will have the opportunity to volunteer at three locations within Madison. At Goodman Community Center, members will assist in sorting items for the food pantry, prepare classrooms for summer camp, complete landscaping work and aid with the meals on wheels program prep. Additionally, at UW-Arboretum, members will work with the site’s horticultural team to tend woody plants by pulling weeds and spreading mulch around the trees and shrubs. Finally, members will restore and manage wildlife habitats and plants communities in the Madison parks by removing invasive species and establishing native plants.

Wisconsin FFA members will have the opportunity to participate in an on-site project through collaboration with Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Members will help to assemble 40 beds for children and families in need in the Madison area. The Wisconsin Association of FFA will be collecting twin sheets, pillowcases and comforter sets to donate as well. Wisconsin FFA sponsor KERRY donated $5,000 to make the collaboration with Heavenly Peace possible.

Since the event’s inception in 2009, FFA members have provided 3,750 volunteer hours to the Madison community. The event has not been able to be held in its traditional format since 2019 due to the coronavirus pandemic. In the past couple of years, in place of Day of Service, the Wisconsin Association of FFA has held modified service events such as a food and hygiene drive. Day of Service is one of the many events that FFA members can participate in to develop their premier leadership, personal growth, and career success at the 94^th Wisconsin FFA Convention,