South Tama FFA students with the help of Farm Bureau Financial Services recently completed a tree planting project in the Tama-Toledo community. Pictured are, from left: Larry Horbach, Kaylynn Murty, Dane Mellies, Wyatt Silhanek, Chase Gustafson, Kaileb Koster, Selena Zapata, Fusia Wabaunasee, Josey Wacha, Sofia Van De Walle; not pictured: Cyrus Mathes, Wyatt Surman and Cale Graff. -- Contributed photo

In August 2020, a powerful derecho ripped through the heart of Iowa, downing trees and leaving entire towns wondering about recovery.

Now, a comeback is taking root, thanks to a joint effort between Farm Bureau Financial Services (FBFS), its agents, and the Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter in Tama County.

On Wednesday, October 20, Farm Bureau agent Larry Horbach and members of the South Tama County FFA planted nine trees at Toledo and Tama local parks, the high school, and cemetery, provided by Norton’s Greenhouse.

The tree planting was an effort to replenish the trees destroyed during the derecho; trees planted include assorted maples, sunburst honey locust, and purple prince crabapple.

This will be Farm Bureau Financial Services’ fourth such tree-planting event since the derecho.

South Tama FFA students work to plant trees on the South Tama High School campus near the softball field. The project was done as a way to help rebuild the community's tree canopy following the 2020 derecho storm. Partners on the project included Farm Bureau Financial Services and Norton’s Greenhouse of Toledo. -- Contributed photo

“I’m so glad to be a part of an organization like Farm Bureau Financial Services that encourages this kind of volunteerism,” said Larry Horbach, Farm Bureau agent in Toledo. “Working with the FFA and Norton’s Greenhouse is a perfect example of how the Tama-Toledo community sticks together during difficult times. The derecho was one such time and I’m glad we can plant trees and help restore the area’s natural beauty.”

“Volunteering and learning the value of helping our neighbors has been an incredible experience,” said FFA advisor Seth Koch. “We are all so glad to work with Farm Bureau Financial Services in building up our community, especially after the damage it saw last year.”