History of the Tomball ISD FFA Booster Club and Project
Show
Learning to do. Doing to learn. Earning to live. Living to serve.
The National Future Farmers of America Organization was established in Kansas City, MO, in 1928. The Tomball FFA
Chapter was established less than a decade later, in 1937. The Tomball FFA was initiated
that year because Tomball High School, along with other public schools in the area, had
vocational agriculture programs for the male students. There was also a home economics
program for the female students. Neither program allowed participation by members of the
opposite sex. Although the FFA is co-educational today, there was no approval from the
National FFA Organization to accept females into the program until 1969.
This past year, hundreds of Tomball ISD students crowded into the Tomball ISD
agriculture barn for the 36th annual Tomball ISD FFA Show. With 350 members from two
schools, this show raised over half a million dollars. Before the Tomball FFA had its own
Project Show, agriculture students would show their projects at the Tomball Fair, and
eventually showed at the Houston Livestock Show. There were scholarship funds given to
students who achieved first and second place in the records contest. Tomball was always in the running for the records
department. The local community was very supportive of the FFA. There were many who would come and buy steers at the
show, then take them back and market the meat in their stores throughout Tomball. The whole town benefited from the Ag
department, and the Ag department benefited from their town. They also had the option of participating in the Harris County
Fair. At that time, the Harris County Fair was a three-day event in a rodeo arena seating approximately 1,500 people. All
Harris County agriculture chapters were involved.
The Tomball FFA was growing and expanding. Mr. Poley Parker taught agriculture from 1951, until 1974, making
him Tomball’s longest standing agriculture teacher. Although Mr. Parker made many significant contributions over the course
of his tenure, one was essential to the growth of the chapter. Mr. Parker received permission to use 40 acres of land for the
Tomball FFA. A portion of the pasture was used for a swine parlor, and the remainder was used to plant 35 acres of Coastal
Bermuda Grass. The Tomball FFA bought a sprigger, and the students would often work through the night to sprig the
Bermuda. It took countless evenings and weekends, but the planting was eventually completed in Tomball. Although the
planting originated in Tomball, it extended as far as Cypress, Brookshire, Spring, Addicks and Hockley. Chances are if you see
a field of Bermuda grass in any of these areas it was planted by the Tomball FFA. Thus far, this was the most profitable project
the Tomball Chapter had finalized. The Tomball FFA also cut, baled and sold their hay from this project. Townspeople would
line up to purchase it due to its high quality. Mr. Parker went on to become Superintendent of Tomball ISD, but his
contributions had birthed a new and exciting era for the Tomball FFA.
The students were not only taught how to raise their animals, but how to manage their money and all of the facets of
the business. During Mr. Parker’s term, Mr. Roy Hillegeist worked with the children to teach them how to manage their
finances. In order for the students to purchase their steers they would go to the bank. Mr. Roy Hillegeist would assist them in
setting up a loan with a promissory note, so they were able to purchase their animals. It was said that one of the most valuable
things Mr. Parker passed along to his students was how to keep meticulous records. At the end of the year, the students were
able to pay off their bank note, and feed bill. Any profits beyond this belonged to the students.
In the late 1970’s, the Tomball ISD Board, along with a group of teachers, FFA parents, and other community
members, came up with an idea to create a FFA Booster Club. In addition to the formation of the booster club, this group also
made plans for the Tomball FFA to have its own show for the first time. It took no time at all to elect officers, and faster than
they could say “steer,” the Tomball FFA was hosting its first show. In preparation for the event, the chapter conducted a
showmanship school, where livestock were brought in, and the students were given pointers on how to show their animals. The
first show was held at the grand stands and under a tent at the high school football field. As luck would have it, it rained
heavily the entire day of the show. But with a little perseverance, and a lot of plywood, it was a success.
After the first show, those at monthly meetings began to discuss the building of the first Tomball FFA Show Barn.
Finances for the project were raised through a number of fundraisers. In addition, there were generous donations from the
county, the Booster Club, and various local businesses. Remarkably, Humble Oil gave their permission to the Tomball FFA to
build the facility on Humble Oil land. Construction began in 1977, and the facility was operational in March of 1978.
Although the outward construction was done by a team of professionals and volunteers, the inside of this facility was built and
equipped by agriculture students.
The second show facility was completed in 1995 and is adjacent to Tomball High School. This is currently the location
of the Tomball ISD’s FFA Annual Project Show. Students from both Tomball High School and Tomball Memorial High
School have the opportunity to show their animals at this facility each year.
In 2011, the Tomball ISD FFA opened its Animal Project Barn. Students from two high schools share the facility,
which can house 50 lambs or pigs, 20 steers, 20 pens of chickens, 10 pens of turkeys, and 40 pens of rabbits. This facility is
used by all students who don’t have the ability to raise and care for their animals at home. Shaped like an H, the barn was
designed with identical wings to house the projects of both Tomball High School and Tomball Memorial High School students.
Although the students have had a record-breaking year, the new facility is expected to considerably increase the funds raised by
the students annually. Below is an example of the amazing growth the chapter has had over the years.
1977 Tomball FFA Show Results
Grand:
Broilers
Rabbits
Swine
Sheep
Steer
Vegetables
2012 Tomball ISD FFA Show Results
Reserve:
$115.00
$450.00
$400.00
$350.00
$1,125.00
$500.00
$500.00
$600.00
$450.00
$1,400.00
$200.00
Grand:
Broilers
Rabbits
Swine
Sheep
Steer
Turkey
$5,000.00
$5,000.00
$10,500.00
$5,700.00
$21,000.00
$6,500.00
Reserve:
$5,800.00
$5,000.00
$7,500.00
$7,500.00
$14,000.00
$7,500.00
The Tomball High School FFA Booster Club and the Tomball Memorial High School FFA Booster Club assist the
chapters in conducting their annual Project Show & Sale, and have raised funds for scholarships, equipment and student
leadership opportunities. The booster club’s goals are to serve the Tomball ISD FFA, and in doing so, serve the community of
Tomball. That being said, none of the progress that has been made would have been possible without the years of service and
dedication given by the Agriculture teachers of Tomball ISD. Our sincere gratitude goes out to Tomball ISD’s teachers of
agriculture, both past and present.
Tomball High School
Tomball Memorial High School
Mr. Chuck Nichols
1936-1938
Mr. Brit Owen
1987-1989
Mr. Ryan Cummins
2011-2012
Mr. Quincy Edwards
1938-1950
Mr. Jimmy Vaculin
1991-2011
Mr. Chris Tondre
2011-2012
Mr. Poley Parker
1951-1974
Mr. Roy Blum
1999-2001
Ms. Katie Lewandowski
2012-Present
Mr. Johnny Kurten
1974-1977
Ms. Sommer Thomas
1999-Present
Ms. Cindy Johnson
2012-Present
Mr. James Birkhead
1977-1980
Ms. Jessica Reeves
2001-Present
Mr. Mickey Henry
1977-1978
Mr. Chris Tondre
2011-2012
Mr. Sam Ellis
1979-1999
Mr. Keith King
2012-Present
Mr. John Henk
1980-1984
*If you have any information to contribute regarding administration dates, please let us know.
“It is a pleasure to see what can be done when a group of people get together, and work together with each other. That brings joy to all.” Earl Hillegeist (1924-2001)
History compiled by Mr. Earl Hillegeist, Mr. Jimmy Vaculin, Mr. Ronnie Parker, and Mr. John Neubauer.