LiNK is an educational outreach project developed by members of the Omaha North FFA. The collaborative, year-long program began three years ago and brings together inner city students from an elementary, middle, and a high school to expose the young people to forestry education. Each year, the project kicks-off with a trip to Arbor Day Farms where the door is opened to many exciting processes in our natural world. The groups continue to meet on a monthly basis throughout the school year in order to further the understanding of trees.
An elaborate Arbor Day event, planned by the Omaha North FFA, includes the LiNK students and concludes the program each year as the community comes together for a celebration of trees in our lives. Inclusion in the LiNK group has become an honor for the students at each of the three schools.

Six members of the Omaha North FFA are selected each year to be one of six leaders of a LiNK group. Throughout the year, each North leader works with a middle school assistant, from King Science and Technology Magnet and five elementary students, from Lothrop Magnet Center. The leader makes a large commitment to planning and staging interactive activities that will help their young friends learn the value of trees in our community. 

At Lothrop Magnet Center, approximately 30 students are selected at the beginning of each school year from the entire fourth grade class to participate in the project. To be selected, the students compete with an original essay, poster, or other format that focuses on trees.

This year’s groups, which include 34 elementary students, are currently growing 40 Blue Spruce seedlings in Lothrop’s greenhouse. Plans are underway to plant those trees as part of the 2008 Arbor Day celebration. 
In addition to Omaha North’s FFA LiNK activities, the Chapter also assists their magnet pathways schools with other projects. FFA members planned and hosted a “Medical Entomology” event at Lothrop’s Family Night in early November. In December, members will serve as judges at King’s annual Science Fair.