The Juniata Valley School District is a district heavily influenced by agriculture, and the Blue Juniata FFA represents this within the school. Every year, the Blue Juniata FFA holds its annual fruit sale, and this year was just like any other year. 

The members got their order forms this year in mid-October. Last year, the forms were slightly different, as they included fruit from Way’s Fruit Farm. This year, they sold from there again, as it worked out really well last year. They still had their normal fruit from PJ’s Fresh Fruit and butter braids and cake rolls from Freckled Moose Fundraising. But this year, there was something a little different; there were some newer members helping. 

Many of the 1st and 2nd year members helped this year. Member Sarah Foster says, “This was my first year helping with the fruit, and it was very enjoyable. I got to help sort the fruit, and check to make sure everything was good inside the boxes to ensure everyone was getting the best quality.” She had sold fruit ever since she was eligable for FFA, but due to scheduling conflicts she was never able to help on fruit day. This year however she was able to and she hopes that her “schedule will prevail next year beacuse I would be happy to help again.” These new members helped make it a success. As Advisor Raylene Russell puts it, “Everything went fairly smoothly with all the help this year”. 

But along with these newer members are the returning members who have helped year after year, and some were showing the ropes to the next group. Many of these members enjoy helping, but to them, it is something special. As senior Mattie Casner states, “Thinking about the fact that it is my last fruit day is very emotional. These people are like my second family, and it is all coming to an end. We have such a close bond, especially when it comes to raising money for what we love. It is also very rewarding to see how many people are willing to support our chapter”. They love that the community shows that they care about something the kids care about so much. 

For the chapter as a whole, it is one of their biggest fundraiser. This year, the selling started around October 15th, with orders due November 14th, and the delivery date, which members call fruit day, being December 9th. On fruit day, everything gets delivered in the morning, and almost all the members help sort, check, and separate the fruit, butter braids, and cake rolls into the members’ orders. Then the orders get picked up by the parents of the members or by the members. The FFA members then distribute their orders. Although they were down on cases of fruit by about 50 cases, the total of approximately $3500 was raised for the Blue Juniata FFA. Russell believes that “everyone has tightened their belts this fall with the uncertainty with the government and finances”, which could be why there were fewer cases sold. Then, a few months later, at the Blue Juniata FFA’s Annual FFA Ceremony, which this year will be May 3rd, 2025, the top sellers will be announced and rewarded for their dedication and hard work. 

In the end, the annual fruit sale went decently well and raised a good amount of money for the chapter for future trips, conferences, and other events for the members who love agriculture.