LOUISVILLE, Ky. — On a sunny afternoon, about a dozen chickens are snacking on gourds. 

Jack Grimes and Laura Ponce Jimenez’s chores include feeding the birds. This pair are members of Seneca High School’s Future Farmers of America (FFA). 

Even though Seneca sits in a Louisville neighborhood, the students are still exposed to agriculture skills. 

“Instead of having these, like big acres and acres of land, you know, usually urban agriculture, stuff like gardening or chicken coops or, you know, if you do have the money for a greenhouses,” senior Grimes said.

The high school senior has been a part of FFA for four years. 

He says the program is inspiring him to one day become a veterinarian technician. 

“I didn’t know [that] was something I could explore and vet. Regular vet school seemed way too expensive for me and too much time difficult to be put into it. But vet tech is a very wonderful middle ground for me, and so that’s what I would like to explore,” Grimes said.

Ponce Jimenez is the school’s FFA president.

She says the program has helped her find one of her passions.

“I’ve just been in love with the animal program and I kind of just stay there most of the time. But I’ve learned mostly about myself that I can do more than one thing at the same time,” Ponce Jimenez said.

The aspiring veterinarian is also learning about appreciating those around her. 

“I gave up a few challenge coins, one to my teacher and one to this lovely Kentucky five-year worker who recently passed away from natural causes. And that was really hard on me because I gave my number. I was passionate about making sure she was okay, and that took a toll on me because I needed to make sure she felt appreciated.”

FFA students receive the challenge coins as a reminder that their work is valuable and to share with those that have positively impacted their lives. 

“I, myself, gave one to my history teacher, who is unfortunately no longer with us. And he was dealing with his own struggles, his own personal issues. And it unfortunately caught up with him,” said Grimes. He added, “And it was it was very sad. And it still kind of makes you sad thinking about it. But I mean, giving him that coin, I know that it definitely meant a lot to him, even if it didn’t save his life.” 

FFA is teaching these students to take care of farm animals and those around them. 

Seneca FFA is part of the Seneca Urban AG magnet. Nearly one million people belong to FFA.