Elijah and his award-winning clean energy FFA project, complete with an I Z Mountains bumper sticker.

Student Wins FFA State Fair Competition with Clean Energy Project

My name is Elijah Van Gelder Rose. I am a sophomore at Clay County High School and a member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA). Recently, I had the opportunity to represent my county in the FFA State Fair Competition.

Growing up in West Virginia on a farm with parents who are both environmental activists has taught me the importance of preserving nature. I wanted my project to represent something we need badly: "clean energy."

I decided to build a model of a farm run by wind power. I built a farm house and horse barn completely from popsicle sticks both with metal roofs.

I used a milk jug to make a windmill. To complete the project I added stones to make roadways, a pond, popsicle-stick fencing and a variety of farm animals.

On Saturday August 13 I took my display to Lewisburg to compete in the FFA competition. I was honored to have the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition as my sponsor. I took first place in both County and State.

Far too many young people like myself are unaware of the many environmental issues West Virginia faces. My mom is an environmental journalist and my dad is an activist and farmer. When I was younger I did not understand what they were fighting for.

When I got old enough to go to events and take

water samples with them, I began to get the big picture.

However, it was not until I saw my first mountaintop removal site that it really hit me. West Virginia, its water and its people are being abused to keep the nation’s lights on.

It is time that our state move from coal to clean energy sources like wind power.

We must make the changes now and I hope in the future to be someone who helps lead the way.