OESJ Central Schools

In a world where food appears on our tables with just a trip to the grocery store, it's easy to forget the hard work behind every bite. That's why our Mohawk Valley FFA project, Baskets of Gratitude, meant so much to our members. We wanted to show appreciation for the local farmers who pour their time, energy, and passion into growing the food that feeds our community—and the world.

Farmers don't get days off. They work from dawn until dusk, rain or shine, dealing with unpredictable weather, long hours, and endless tasks to ensure we have bountiful products. This project was our small way of saying "thank you" for their dedication.

The idea started simply: create beautiful, hand-woven baskets and fill them with goodies to deliver to farmers in our area. But it turned into something bigger—a hands-on lesson in craftsmanship, generosity, and community.

We learned to weave the baskets ourselves, with amazing guidance from Colleen Mosenthin. She patiently showed us how to twist and loop the materials into sturdy, useful structures.

What made this possible was the generosity of Colleen and Amy Rayne from Right as Rayne Woodworking. They donated the materials we needed, from the weaving strips to the bases. Without their support, we couldn't have made so many baskets. Their kindness inspired us to pay it forward.

The best part was delivering them. Members of our chapter traveled together to visit several local farms and handed the baskets directly to the farmers. Their smiles and surprised reactions made everything worthwhile.

Projects like Baskets of Gratitude teach us more than just crafting skills—they show us the value of gratitude and community. Our chapter is proud of what we’ve accomplished, and we hope it encourages others to find ways to thank the people who keep our world running. To all the farmers out there: thank you for everything you do!