Celebrate the 65th Anniversary grassland Ffa

 The museum unveiled a display of the history of the Grassland FFA and the agricultural education program. 

The museum event featured local, state and national FFA officers, chapter alumni and advisers. A representative also attended from New Holland Agriculture, which is celebrating its 75th year of partnership with FFA.

New Holland Agriculture is an agricultural equipment manufacturer and dealer with North American headquarters in New Holland and global headquarters of its parent company, CNH Industrial, in the United Kingdom.

Bob Lauffer, an agriculture educator at Garden Spot High School from 1977 to 2014, said the Grassland FFA chapter name comes from the company's haytools division, which is known for being "first in grassland farming."

In 1967 the mayors of New Holland and Longvic, France signed a charter declaring them to be twin cities. The charter encouraged activities that would increase each community’s understanding of the other through the exchange of people, information, and ideas.

On July 4th, 1974, the New Holland Band, led by its director Samuel O. Zimmerman, and 26 citizens from New Holland and the area, departed for an 8-day journey to France to visit the citizens of Longvic and perform there, in Paris, and several other locations.

During the trip the band traveled to the Suresnes American Cemetery to conduct a memorial service honoring the American service members who gave their lives there during World War I and II. On July 6th, the band arrived in Longvic and was welcomed by the citizens of Longvic at a festive ceremony and reception. The next day, following a church service, parade, and memorial service, the band and their hosts were treated to a luxurious multi-course meal at the famous Clos du Vougeot in the heart of the Burgandy wine country. Following the meal, a concert was held in the courtyard. Another concert was held that evening following the band’s return to Longvic.

The following days included a trip to La Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland to perform in a parade and a concert, receiving a tour of the Sperry New Holland baler manufacturing plant located in Longvic. The band enjoyed lunch in the plant cafeteria, eating and conversing with the plant employees, and was honored at a dinner that evening given by Sperry New Holland.

July 10th was a bittersweet day for the band as they said goodbye to their French hosts and set off for Paris where they spent the afternoon touring the Palace of Versailles. The next day was highlighted by two concerts in Paris. The first was held at the Luxembourg Gardens, and the second was a memorable concert performed directly underneath the Eiffel Tower with the sound of the band resonating off the huge iron structure above.

The Band returned to New Holland on July 12th.