ELSBERRY – Many opportunities are available through the Future Farmers of America program at schools across the nation, Elsberry Schools program is no different.

The Elsberry FFA Alumni and Parent Association is pleased to announce the chapter will now be known for a unique opportunity for Elsberry members, practice for the trap shooting teams will be held on their own field.

A Grand Opening was recently held to honor the donors, the trap team, and all those who support the program. Announced were the over 70 people and businesses that helped make the project possible.

Ceremonial clay birds depicting the date and grand opening were handed out. After announcements an inaugural clay bird was shot by all the current trap team members to signify the opening of the range.

The National Wildlife Turkey Federation and the National Rifle Association were also recognized for their large grants that were used to fund the facility.

According to Alumni President, Kim Jones the range has been in an active planning stage for the last two and completed in August of 2024 so the team could begin the season at the range.

She continued, “This facility was built from the ground up. After finally securing insurance from National FFA supporter American Family Insurance and local agent Nicholas Cacioppo, the actual planning and construction started in the Summer of 2023.”

The two-house trap field includes state of the art Pat Trap Throwers, Canterbury wireless speaker system, full concrete shooting lanes, a huge parking lot, pavilion and storage facility.

Students are also vested into the new facility after making picnic tables, gun racks, and scorer chairs in shop class to have on the new sight.

According to Jones, who has been the Alumni president for the last five years, it is not known at this time what else the site will accommodate in the future, but possibly hosting a trap league and meat shoots may occur so proceeds can help sustain the facility.