by Rachel Hunter
The Gouverneur Chapter of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) will host the annual pancake breakfast, sponsored by the Gouverneur CSD Agriculture Advisory Board, on Sunday, March 29, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035, 1419 US-11, Gouverneur. The breakfast is available for a $10 donation per person. The menu features pancakes with maple syrup, sausage patties or links, coffee and juice. Funds raised will be donated to benefit the Gouverneur FFA Chapter.
Did you know? The origin of the Gouverneur FFA Chapter was detailed at its 25th anniversary in the 1954 Gouverneur Deanonian. The Gouverneur Agricultural Club was organized in 1926 with Wendell Wicks as first president, followed by Donald Huddleston and Kenneth Price. This agricultural club was affiliated with the state and national FFA. The name was changed to the Gouverneur Young Farmers in 1929 and to the Gouverneur Future Farmers in 1939. The out-of-school group, formed in 1939, consisted largely of former FFA members who met in the ag rooms for educational and social programs. By this means, the high school continued to educate these men through their adult lives. The foundation on which the FFA is built includes leadership, character development, sportsmanship, cooperation, service, thrift, scholarship, improved agriculture, organized recreation, citizenship, and patriotism. In the 1954 Deanonian, it was stated that: “Since its inauguration, the Gouverneur FFA has been one of the most active groups not only in this school but also throughout the state.”
The Gouverneur Agricultural Club was founded in 1926 by GHS Agricultural Teacher Roy D. Gibbs who is still remembered to this day for his untiring dedication to the local students. Mr. Gibbs met his untimely demise while still in active service to the local youths at the age of 56 in 1954 after a 31-year career in Gouverneur. The Gouverneur Central School District Ag Advisory Board assists in raising funds for the Gouverneur Central School District Agriculture Program Gouverneur FFA Chapter during its annual auction to give scholarship funds to students pursuing a career in agriculture. The R.D. Gibbs Scholarship is given to deserving seniors during the GHS commencement exercises.
Roy D. Gibbs came to the Gouverneur school system in 1923 following his first year of teaching at South Dayton, New York. He was a Vermont native, the son of Elwin M. and Effie Patnode Gibbs. He graduated from Ellenburg Depot High School and from Cornell University in 1922. He married the former Miss Lyla Taggert at her home in DePeyster on June 29, 1929. He joined the Gouverneur Agricultural and Mechanical Fair Society as Superintendent of the then-School Fair in 1924, and began his active and continued service for farm youth groups.
Mr. Gibbs organized the Gouverneur Calf Club in the area to broaden the program for boys and girls in 1925. From this beginning, he organized and superintended the first 4-H club exhibit ever put on at the local fair or in the state. He worked continuously for all farm youth groups until the present 4-H and FFA fair in Gouverneur grew to be one of the largest and most successful in the state. For over 30 years he served as the Fair Superintendent of the Grange, Juvenile Grange, and Subordinate Granges.
In 1926, Mr. Gibbs organized the Future Farmers of America chapter here, the tenth chapter of its kind in the state. In June 1953, he was presented with the 30-year award for continuous membership in the Association of Teachers of Agriculture of New York for services rendered to farm youth. He also received the 25-year 4-H Merit Award given for aid and activity as a club advisor and organizer of club activities and program growth in the area. He was also very active in the local community, holding charter membership in the Gouverneur Lions Club, as well as serving in roles with the Association of Teacher of Agriculture of New York, Gouverneur Lodge No. 217 F&AM, Gouverneur Chapter No 233 RAM, Marble City Chapter No. 92 OES, among others. In the 1954 Deanonian, it is written: “The acid test of any organization is the benefits received. Hundreds of former members will testify that their training in the FFA contributed greatly to their success. By his devoted leadership, untiring efforts and Christian example the late Mr. Gibbs imparted to those with whom he came in contact the feeling that farming was a dignified profession worthy to be the highest calling of man,” the dedication read.
Under the tutelage of Roy D. Gibbs, the local students achieved greatness in the agricultural program, even achieving the highest ranks in the FFA Organization, with members earning the Empire Farmer Degree and the American Farmer Degree. Mr. Gibbs expertly led teams into judging competitions throughout the state and they won a total of 37 cups, plaques, and banners. The local students also excelled in their public speaking and leadership skills.
After Mr. Gibbs’ death, two or three other shorter termed teachers were hired, but the next long-term teacher was Lyle L. Wicks, who lived in Oxbow where he operated a farm for years in addition to teaching agriculture in Gouverneur. Mr. Wicks was quick-witted and an excellent teacher with a good record of FFA accomplishments. He retired from Gouverneur in 1965 to take a position with Cornell University to set up an Instructional Material Service, which provided educational specifically for agriculture teachers to use. Other influential agricultural educators in the Gouverneur Central School District have included the following: Robert Johnston, Lyle Hotis (currently serving on the Gouverneur CSD Ag Advisory Board), Mandi Millen, Joe Bullock, Mary-Elizabeth Foote, Gleason Walley, Jr., and Kylie Torres (current ag educator and FFA advisor).
From its beginning, the Gouverneur FFA Chapter has worked diligently to earn funds in order to carry on chapter activities and to finance a large part of the cost of taking trips, including to the national convention. This includes various fundraising events and activities, including assisting with the annual pancake breakfast fundraiser. The North Country community is encouraged to show their support of the Gouverneur FFA Chapter at the 2026 Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser this Sunday.
Those wanting to financially contribute to the Gouverneur FFA Chapter are also encouraged to send donations to the Gouverneur FFA at the Gouverneur Central School District, 133 E. Barney Street, Gouverneur, NY 13642. To keep informed on upcoming events and fundraisers, North Country residents can visit the Gouverneur Ag. Education and FFA Facebook page.