Nestled at an elevation of 3,200 feet and
approximately 100 miles southeast of the southern
Oregon border lies McArthur, California. As you
travel through town you will notice no stop lights or
fast food establishments. What you will notice are
breathtaking views of agriculture set in a beautiful
landscape of green mountains, winding rivers and
probably several friendly waves from passing locals
in a feed truck or tractor. The sunsets are calming, and
the smell of growing peppermint, alfalfa or wild rice,
with the sound of sprinklers irrigating strawberry mother
plants consumes the valley. Located in McArthur, is Fall
River Junior/Senior High School. The student body
of 240, with grades seventh through 12, is located
in a community of about 1,350 very supportive
residents. The McArthur Chapter, 0149 nationally
based employees make up the bulk of the economy
with a few in recreational type entities. The picture is
painted, and it is easy to understand why so many
who initially can’t wait to graduate and head out of
town, quickly realize that what they left behind is that
little slice of Heaven so many seek.
The school as a whole has had a long-standing
tradition of engaging its students in sports, the arts,
chartered and 045 chartered in California, has 140
academics, and community based programs which
students. The chapter has two full-time agriculture
aid students in becoming
advisors offering instruction
well-rounded,
organized
covering agriculture science,
and prepared to step out
animal science, agriculture
The school as a whole
into the real world. Whether it
mechanics,
woodshop/
be directly into employment,
construction,
agriculture
has a long-standing
college or some other
business, floral, agriculture
tradition of engaging
certificated program, rest
communications,
and
its students...
assured that they are ready
leadership. In support of the
for their next chapter in life
program are two shops, a
to begin. The FFA program
greenhouse, a farm facility,
prides itself on being a big part of that development
11-acres of farming ground with a tractor, and a
through the utilization of the Three-Ring Model and
strong support cast of community members. Local
ranchers, farmers, business people, health care based,
{ Continued on page 5 }
construction, trucking, forestry, fire fighting and utility
California FFANEWS • PAGE 4 • Fall 2019