The Next Generation of Agriculturalists: (Part 2)

This video was the opening theme video for state conventions across the U.S. in 2014 and for the 2013 86th National FFA Convention. While the end of the video's sole purpose is to pump up members and get members excited, the beginning of the video really speaks the message of what the FFA believes in.

In the title of this post and its previous counterpart, I use the word 'agriculturalist.' Merriam-Webster's definition of 'agriculturalist' is this:

 

"[Someone who partakes in] the science, art, or practice of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock and in varying degrees the preparation and marketing of the resulting products."

 

However, this formal definition seems stiff and gives the impression to people that they don't apply. They aren't farmers, therefore they are not agriculturalists. This couldn't be more wrong.

 

Everybody can be agriculturalists. You don't have to raise cattle. You don't have to grow soybeans. You don't have to subscribe to the stereotypical view of 'farm life.' Being an agriculturalist is as simple as sharing this post, or sharing a link to this blog, on any form of social media. Advocacy is a fancy word for spreading knowledge and information.

 

I bet you have done this multiple times in your life--whether it's by sharing an article you read on Facebook, or tell your friend about the video you watched on YouTube. The same idea applies to agriculture. Reading up on the headlines or talking to people from the industry are ways to gain knowledge, but it takes that extra step of sharing that information to become an agriculturalist, and, in turn, an advocate.

 

Being an FFA member is all about being advocates. Every FFA member became that when they put on the blue jacket. The members of this organization serve their communities and help further the industry in ways that is almost unbelievable for youth to do. Not only that, but the FFA helps to prep students entering the work force, whether it's agriculture or another industry. The skills learned in this organization are skills that can be used for the remainder of the member's life.

 

It's not just an organization about farming. It's an organization about preparing for the future and what that entails. Think back to some of my previous posts.

 

The world is growing, and it needs someone to step up and provide for it. Food has to be put on the table for billions of people, and there is only one industry that can accomplish that.

 

The FFA organization is about preparing the next generation of agriculturalists, because those agriculturalists are the ones who will be providing for the world.