Atwater FFA Advisor Dave Gossman and Inglenook Winery’s Amabassador harold Francis load up empty wine barrels
Francis Ford Coppola’s Inglenook Winery in Rutherford, California donated numerous wine barrels to the Atwater High School Agriculture Department for student-made FFA projects.
The Atwater High School Ag Wood and Ag Mechanics students transform the barrels into a variety of agriculture-related projects in their shop classes. The projects are showcased at the Merced County Fair and sold at FFA fundraisers as a way to fund supplies and equipment for the students and the program.
The opportunity to receive the barrels was coordinated through Inglenook Winery’s Winemaker Philippe Bascaules and Ambassador Harold Francis. “We are so appreciative of the opportunity to receive the donation as it generates enthusiasm and opportunity for our students to showcase their skills and creativity in various hands-on projects, said Atwater High School FFA advisor Dan Flatt. “ It is a win-win situation in giving students an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills while generating funds that go directly back into the program to cover the costs involved in running the shop program.”
For more information on Atwater FFA or the upcoming sale, log onto their website at AtwaterFFA.org or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram.