More than 1,400 people attended Gilroy High School FFA’s third annual Farm Day, which sought to teach the community about the value of farming and youth leadership.
The event at the FFA barn on Kern Avenue welcomed everyone who wanted to learn more about the local high school youth organization, and offered a variety of activity and informational stations—mostly targeted at the younger audience—aiming to inspire excitement and interest in livestock and agriculture.
“Farm Day is about bringing the community together and helping to encourage students to support the FFA,” said Gilroy High freshman and FFA member Alexis Johnson, who chaired the committee that organized and ran the March 28 event.
The event was almost entirely run by FFA members who attend Gilroy High. From directing parking, to setting up and breaking down, welcoming visitors and leading nearly a dozen activity stations, the high schoolers were in charge.
“Gilroy High FFA students took the lead in planning the event through committee meetings, deciding on stations, organizing activities and preparing for the day,” said Gilroy High teacher Allyah Perez-Pulido, the school’s FFA department chair.
Activity stations included a petting zoo, face painting, egg decorating, story time, a photo booth and two giant tractors that smaller kids lined up to climb on. Attendees also learned about farm chores like pig ear notching and milking cows, and had a chance to practice on safely designed props.
FFA is a nationwide youth organization that seeks to develop life skills among teenagers by introducing them to the agricultural industry. Johnson noted that Gilroy High FFA was named the 2025 South Coast Region FFA Chapter of the Year—an accomplishment she noted that she and her classmates are particularly proud of.
While FFA is often primarily associated with animal husbandry and raising livestock, Johnson said there’s much more to it.
“I like FFA because it is really about leadership, and I am a very outgoing person so it really brings me out of my shell,” she said. “And I like how it has a lot of engaging opportunities for everybody, even if they aren’t in the agriculture industry.”
