A Hillsboro FFA alumni chapter has been working for most of a year now to find ways to support the student chapter at Hillsboro High School.

For the most part, that means providing financial assistance for events like going to National FFA Convention, alumni chapter vice president DeLayne Herbel said Thursday. In essence, it is a booster club specific to FFA.

“We were wanting to do something for the FFA chapter in our community,” he said.

In the past, USD 410 has provided a lot of assistance to the chapter, but with state funding not keeping up with education expenses, it isn’t clear how much support the school district will be able to afford to give in the future.

The alumni chapter had its first big fundraiser in the spring. During the FFA banquet, the alumni chapter had a silent auction with items donated by local businesses.

“That was a very successful event,” Herbel said.

Future fundraisers are under consideration, he added.

The chapter has about 20 members. The chapter executive board includes Dana Wolford, president; Herbel, vice president; Callie Penner, secretary; Kim Oborny, treasurer; and Dale Nuss and Deb Geis, officers. Herbel said anyone interested in joining the alumni chapter can speak with one of the board members.