Bonnie Cranmer
Contributing writer
The weather on Saturday provided a beautiful start to the annual Ag Fair at Craig County Public Schools. The Craig County FFA (Future Farmers of America) worked to provide a community event demonstrating a year of activity. The Land Lab on school property was the place to visit animals and learn about their care. Many vendors filled the school grounds with good food, information and freebies. Games, a cake walk, big trucks and equipment, and even a chainsaw carving demonstration were available to explore.
The Virginia Agriculture Mobile Unit was on site, providing many options for students in agriculture. Tim Miller, district coordinator for the Soil and Water Conservation District, had a soil education demonstration, a blowup tunnel filled with facts about the importance of soil conservation and management. “Soil is the foundation for farmers,” Miller stated.
The organizers posted a generous thank you to everyone on their Facebook page, acknowledging the support provided at school, in the community and at home. Students have worked all year, attending classes, events and working through projects to get to the Ag Fair. The popularity of the annual demonstration of agricultural products, processes and practices consistently provides students with new ideas for their future, here at home in Craig County.
“We want to show our appreciation for our community members that go above and beyond to help make this day a success:
Our 2025 sponsors and vendors whose funds support the Ag Program
The Land Lab Fair Committee who works tirelessly for months to pull the event together (Mary, John, Diane, Chelsea, Michelle Poff, Johnathan, Nicole, Becky, Corey, Ms. Nolen, Cheyanne Bell, Isaac Lucas, Tiffany Ratliff, Makenzie Lucas)
Shelly Snider, who filled Ms. Nolens shoes while she was out on maternity leave and got all of the FFA kids organized and cared for in preparation for the fair
Geoff Boyer, who ran the PA system and provided music and announcements throughout the day
Sherry Crowder and George Foster, who woke up early and prepared biscuits for the FFA to sell
Darrell Fisher and Wanda Looney with Integrity Auctions of Craig LLC, who volunteered their time to run our baked goods auction
Clarissa who sang the National Anthem at the opening ceremony
Delegate Terry Austin, who made a trip from Richmond to chat with the students who personally invited him when they visited the Capitol earlier this year
All of the parent volunteers, including Lori Nolen, Nicole, Shelly, Tasha, Pam, Chris, Stacey & more who spent long hours today holding down the fort with all of the fun activities such as the petting zoo, games, raffles, and Pearls Pantry
All of the awesome FFA kids that are so proud of the Land Lab Fair and all of its successes. Without you guys we wouldn’t have a reason to celebrate the hard work and dedication you show for the agricultural industry.
A community who continues to show up and shows out to support us in numerous ways.”
