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Ag Program Gets Some Star Power KOGO Broadcasts From Ramona
By Regina Elling
 | | Roger Hedgecock, popular host of KOGO AM 600 radio, brought his show live to Ramona.
Photos by Regina Elling |
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Ramona residents hit the airwaves in droves recently, all in support of agriculture and some local youth ag programs.
The airwaves were accessible, in part, due to Roger Hedgecock, of AM 600 KOGO radio, bringing his popular show to town. From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., he broadcast his show live from the Washington Mutual parking lot in the Albertsons shopping center on Main Street.
Dozens of local and area residents were able to express their views live on the show. Hedgecock proved to be a popular host, as he listened patiently to residents' fears, concerns and passion for local agriculture.
Background noise was provided not only by the couple of hundred people who showed up to support and watch the show, but by a small contingent of livestock. Sheep, goats, a miniature horse, several dogs and even a camel, compliments of the Oasis Camel Dairy, were on hand to bring home the reality of agriculture in a town that thrives on its rural roots.
 | | The crowds arrived in droves to support the FFA and agriculture programs. |
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The agricultural program at Ramona High School has recently been threatened with elimination due to statewide budget cuts.
"If they manage to cut out the agriculture program in Ramona, they will cut it out of every school in the county," says Jamie Nihart, mother of two students at the school. "Even if we manage to keep the program going, we shouldn't have to struggle and fight and justify this every year."
She adds that the money would be better spent if "the school board just cut out the middle management - we have way too many administrators."
"The entire subject of school finance is important to communities all across the county," says Hedgecock. "The agriculture program in Ramona being threatened is just one example. Why has it even come to this? We want to find out why."
He says that "FFA and the other ag programs are all very cool and very beneficial, and I would certainly like to see them continue. I even bought a lamb myself at a recent fair."
"This is about more than just one ag teacher being cut," says Ashley Nihart, one of Jamie's two daughters. "FFA includes the debate teams, speaking teams, co-ops that keep farm records and even time management."
The program also has a farm located at the high school where the students can practice their hands-on knowledge with tractors, farm equipment and livestock.
Jamie points out, "We live in a condo in the Country Estates - we don't have a farm or a ranch. The future goals of my kids have really been made possible by the FFA program."
"My daughter Ashley is a senior and wants to be an agriculture teacher. The FFA program has meant that much to her," says Jamie. "My other daughter, Desiree, is a sophomore and wants to be a veterinarian."
The ag program is well-attended by Ramona high school students.
"We have 88 enrolled now," Ashley says. "We have 160 students already enrolled for next year; more than 200 are interested."
"This is just so important - the FFA program really helps kids stay in school," Ashley continues. "And once they stay, it helps them their whole life. Many of our alumni have jobs based on the lifelong skills they learned in FFA."
Their mother, Jamie, agrees.
"We shouldn't even have to have this event," she says. "Agriculture programs should be a priority. It's too important to even think about cutting it out."
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