Whether it’s golfing and barbecuing, the Montgomery County FFA chapter still finds a way to have fun despite the wintry conditions that hit the county for several days.

The chapter went to Top Golf in Chesterfield on Feb. 17 with snow falling on the ground. Three days later, it held its annual Supporters BBQ at the ag shop with temperatures in the single digits outside.

“Despite some of the conditions, we did most of our stuff and it’s been a really fun time,” said sophomore Reed Pottebaum, the chapter’s secretary.

The chapter began its FFA Week on Feb. 16 by going to church service at St. John’s United Church of Christ in High Hill. On Feb. 21, it toured local businesses such as Cargill, American Family Insurance and Hometown Vet Clinic.

The chapter had  its Drive Your Tractor to School Day and Anything but a Backpack Day on Feb. 25. Both events were postponed during FFA Week due to the weather.

FFA Week is celebrated every February by FFA chapters all over the country, honoring the organization’s role in agriculture.

“FFA Week is the best week of school because everybody comes together and supports FFA,” said junior Gracie Cobb, who is the chapter’s vice-president.

Pottebaum said he enjoyed this year’s FFA Week after missing most of last year’s FFA Week due to illness.

“This year has been a blast,” the sophomore said.

More than 30 members went to Top Golf. Sophomore Lily Hillebrand, the chapter’s historian, said she and her FFA mates enjoyed the one-hour field trip to west St. Louis County.

“That was a lot of fun,” Hillebrand said. “We went there last year. I think a lot of people got better and enjoyed it more.”

No FFA Week activities were held on Feb. 18 and 19 due to the weather. The MCHS FFA chapter got the green light to hold the barbecue on Feb. 20 since school was in session despite the cold temperatures.

“We weren’t sure how it was going to be because it was so cold and snowy outside,” Cobb said. “But the people came anyway because they just like to support FFA. We like to give back to them.”

Pottebaum and Cobb helped serve pork steaks, pork burgers and hot dogs with potato salad, coleslaw and baked beans at the BBQ, which drew a strong turnout of community residents.

“We have an unbelievable supportive community,” Pottebaum said. “Even in this cold, they’re still coming out to eat with us. It’s just nice to put on something to give back to the community after all of the help they did.”

Hillebrand is in her first year on the officer team. Recently, she was named a chapter degree recipient.

“I’m liking it,” Hillebrand said. “I get to be more involved with everything. Making the scrapbook is pretty fun. I am making a scrapbook online. We just take pictures from our meetings and activities and we put a little caption about what we did and why we’re doing it.”

Cobb is in her second year as an officer. She’s sharing vice-president duties with seniors Avery Ridgley and Beckham Cothren. She was a treasurer last year.

“We all work, get it together and get everything done,” Cobb said.

Pottebaum is a part of an officer team that includes his older brother Landon, who is a senior and the chapter president.

“It’s easier to be more active as a secretary,” Pottebaum said. “I got a lot of responsibilities, but I enjoy them.”