Ridgewood FFA students visit Ireland

This summer several Ridgewood High School FFA members were able to take an ag and cultural tour of Ireland.

"This summer I got to go on a trip I will remember forever," Libirti Shortt-Wilkie said. "My trip to Ireland was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From kissing the Blarney Stone to visiting the Cliffs of Moher, my time in Ireland was very much enjoyed.

"I really enjoyed all the different farm tours we went on and getting a firsthand view of how agriculture and farming works in another country. It was so interesting to see the differences in agriculture. This trip would not have been possible without all of our amazing sponsors and especially our wonderful FFA adviser Mrs. Sue Davis and our other chaperone Mrs. Penny Mast."

One of Alaena Huff's favorite parts of the trip was the Charleville Ag Show, which is like a county fair here in the U.S.

"We also visited the Jameson Whiskey Distillery, where we learned about whiskey production and the importance of aging whiskey in a cork barrel," Huff said. "I thought this was neat since I didn’t know that the flavor of the whiskey comes from the barrels. We then went to Blarney Castle, where I kissed the Blarney Stone for good luck and eloquence when speaking. This was one of my favorite parts since my heritage is Irish and I like to talk."

Huff also celebrated her 16th birthday during the trip and enjoyed visiting a water buffalo farm.

Alivia Day liked seeing the diversity in the way livestock and crops are produced across the world.

"I was also fascinated about the way that they use natural hedges and stone as fences," she said. "Ireland is a beautiful country, with beautiful sights of the fields for miles to the cliffs and mountains. I am very thankful for the opportunity to come on this adventure."

Layla Moore said Ireland was a life-changing experience for her.

"I got to do things I never thought I would be able to do," she said. "I got to meet new people and make new friends. I got to experience a different country and their culture. I got to learn about their ways of agriculture and the things they do differently from us. I am so grateful for all the people that helped to get me to go on this once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Izabel Mourer said the trip helped her gain knowledge of how farmers do things differently in a different country.

"I really liked going to all the different places and seeing all of the things that they do on their farms," she said. "My favorite place was the water buffalo farm and trying the cheese and meat that are both produced and processed at that farm."

Jordan Mizer said his favorite farm was the water buffalo farm.

"It was really unique and very interesting," he said. "I liked trying the food over there, except for they didn’t have my beloved Mountain Dew. I had a great time, and I really enjoyed it, and I want to thank everyone who sponsored or donated their time and money so we could go. We couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you so much."

Chloe Marquis was thankful for the opportunity to try different foods and go on her first plane ride.

"I’m so grateful for all the people that made this trip possible for me," she said.

Cameron Mladek said she learned many things on the Ireland trip.

"One is how respectful and nice people are there and how much they care about the environment and their farmlands," she said. "It was so cool to see and learn how they do stuff there and their culture."

Brynn Waters liked seeing how different kinds of farms are run.

"I work on a hog farm, so it really opened up my eyes to how other farms operate with just one or two employees running everything," she said.

Wade Thompson said Ireland was spectacular.

"The Cliffs of Moher and medieval castles were some of the coolest things that I have ever had the chance to see in person," he said. "Thank you to all the families, individuals and businesses who helped sponsor this trip."

Kiley Hahn said this trip was her first plane ride, and she had many amazing experiences.

Jordyne Carpenter said traveling to another country opened her eyes to see that there isn’t always one right way for everything.

"I enjoyed my entire stay in Ireland, but what I enjoyed the most was the Cliffs of Moher and the Blarney Castle to see all of the beautiful sights that nature creates. The people in Ireland are also so welcoming and nice, and I enjoyed talking to them about our different lifestyles."