In March 2014, the Salem Tech FFA’s advisor, Keely DiTizio, and her approximately 50 members, adopted a portion of Bailey Street in Woodstown. The Salem Tech FFA Chapter was volunteering to clean up Bailey Street as part of the county’s mini-grant program, and its proximity to the school made it the obvious choice for adoption. In addition, the FFA holds bake sales at the nearby Tractor Supply, so it really was the perfect location for their Adopt-a-Road.
Mrs. DiTizio has been the leader of this industrious group for the past 11 years. “The FFA motto is ‘Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve’” and serving the community by picking up litter is how my students and I live out that motto,” stated Mrs. DiTizio.
Mrs. DiTizio has always had a heart for protecting the environment, going back to her time at Stockton University, where she earned her degree in Environmental Science and Marine Biology. Her students participate in service projects in addition to litter cleanups, including the study of wood duck habitats at Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Pennsville and reblazing the trail in Fenwick Park behind the school in Pilesgrove. On Earth Day this year, the agriculture students also helped clean up a 2 mile stretch of beach in Elsinboro and planted wildflowers for the bees and butterflies at the Inn at Salem Country Club. The Inn sponsored the transportation of the students and allowed the use of their building to host environmental workshops for the students.
“The group’s longstanding dedication to this program is an inspiration to others,” stated Improvement Authority Board Chairman, Cordy Taylor. The Salem County Improvement Authority is honored to have the Salem Tech FFA as a member of the Adopt-a-Road family and sincerely thanks them for their dedication to Salem County.
The Adopt-a-Road Program is funded by the Clean Communities Grant, and it supports the ongoing efforts to keep Salem County beautiful by removing litter from its 354 miles of roadways. Groups adopt a 1-mile stretch of road and complete a litter pickup at least four times a year. All equipment is provided free of charge to the group or family that adopts the road, as are signs advertising that the road has been adopted.
Many roads in Salem County await adoption. It’s easy: Pick a road from our list and complete an application. For more information and an application, please contact Florence Beckett at 856-935-7900 x 16 or at .
