Stissing Mountain hosts FFA ag fair as exhibits abound

PINE PLAINS —  The FFA (Future Farmers of America) Agriculture Fair was back in force the weekend of Friday, Oct. 6, and Saturday, Oct. 7, at Stissing Mountain Junior/Senior High School. 

Friday’s events included the judging of rabbits, poultry and beef. Livestock confirmation classes began at 11 a.m. with the FFA dairy show following that.

Indoor exhibits including the Pine Plains Garden Club, an exhibit by the Grange and various others were arranged in the school gym, including models made by students from scraps and vegetables, grasses, seeds, fruits and flowers, and some materials that remain unidentified, made into creatures both ghoulish and clever.

Often called The Best Little Agricultural Fair in Dutchess County, the predicted rain put a damper on a few items such as the tractor pull and the horse events. The fireworks were also postponed to Sunday, Oct. 8.

On Friday afternoon, there were sports games being played as regular school life in Pine Plains moved along, but there was, in the long barn next to the playing fields, a large number of dairy cows, still babies at 4 to 8 months old, mooing and lowing, getting settled in for the night waiting for the fair to continue on Saturday. However, the lines for the roast beef dinner on Friday night were long as the scents drifted out from the kitchen. At $20 per adult dinner and $10 per child, all funds went to benefit the FFA Stissing Mountain Chapter.

Even with the rain and some cancellations, the event was successful and once again Pine Plains FFA invested in Pine Plains youth. Agriculture and farming are still a way of life here, and the tradition, with the help of institutions such as FFA, will continue to thrive.

FFA Dairy Showmanship Senior Champion Alekzander Duncan, 16, a senior at Stissing Mountain Junior/Senior High School, at the Pine Plains FFA Ag Fair on Friday, Oct. 6.  Photo by Jenn Duncan

Latest News

School budgets pass amid strong turnout in May 20 polling

With robust voter turnout throughout the region, proposed 2025-26 education budgets passed handily, along with their additional propositions, in the polling held on Tuesday, May 20.

Webutuck Central School District

By a margin of 173 to 103, voters approved the 2025-26 budget totaling $28,665,850, an increase of 5.96% over the current year. After expected revenues are factored in, the amount to be raised by local taxes is $19,403,307, a 5.27% increase over the current year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Village Trustees hear call to adopt law to limit local cooperation with ICE

Barbara Graham of Millerton speaks to Village trustees, Mayor Jenn Najdek and Millerton Police Chief Joseph Olenik during a May 21 special meeting.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The Village of Millerton board of trustees held a special meeting on Wednesday, May 21 that drew an unusually large crowd. Nearly 20 residents and supporters showed up to urge officials to adopt a local law aimed at protecting immigrants, including undocumented community members.

The law, as proposed by meeting attendees, would limit cooperation between local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Keep ReadingShow less
Amenia gathers at Fountain Square

A traditional Memorial Day observance to honor the fallen was held Fountain Square on Monday, May 26. The ceremony included an Honor Guard from the Wassaic Fire Company standing by the Veterans’ Memorial Wall.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — The community gathered at Fountain Square under sunny skies on Monday, May 26, for a Memorial Day ceremony to honor the fallen who bravely served their country. Remembrances, tributes, prayers and music combined to create the fitting annual tribute.

An Honor Guard from VFW Post #5444 of Dover Plains presented the colors at the start of the ceremony that began promptly at 11 a.m. with a welcome from VFW Commander Nick Woodard to the more than 100 who had gathered.

Keep ReadingShow less
Looking at America
Photo by Aly Morrissey

Jay Dacey of the United Kingdom’s Channel 4 took an unexpected detour to the Village of Millerton on Friday, May 23 to capture footage of a rural American town.

The stop was one of the last on a 10-day trip to the United States to film a piece on American politics.

Keep ReadingShow less