Payson Roundup | Payson, AZ

The inaugural Future Farmers of America Fun Day and Rodeo turned into a down-home, toe-tapping good time for both contestants and spectators.

Held April 30 at the Payson Event Center, the fun-filled day featured a multitude of events including a foot rodeo for the younger set, as well as barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying and team roping.

When lunchtime rolled around, renowned cowboy chef Roy Haught was on hand to serve up some of his scrumptious outdoor cooking. For entertainment, the Moonshine Mafia provided music of almost all genres.

First year FFA sponsor and Payson High School agriculture teacher Jadee Garner called the day, “overall fantastic, because we had a wide range of support.”

All proceeds from the day will benefit the Payson FFA program.

Garner says her goal is to make the fun day and rodeo an annual event.

Future Farmers of America was founded by a group of young farmers in 1928 and has been a fixture at PHS for more than two decades. At the time of FFA’s founding, its mission was to prepare future generations for the challenges of feeding a growing population. They taught that agriculture is more than planting and harvesting — it’s also a science, a business and an art.