The Next Generation of Agriculturalists

(wynnewood.k12.us)

 

"I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds -- achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years." (https://www.ffa.org/about/who-we-are/ffa-creed)

 

These words are more than just words. They embody a special meaning to a group of people across the nation. Just like these words are not just words, this group of people is not just a group of people. They are a powerhouse organization based on education, advocacy, growth, leadership, community, job preparation and family.

 

This organization is the FFA. What once used to be the Future Farmers of America is just now the FFA, only standing for Agricultural Education.

 

That passage that began this post is the lead-off paragraph in the FFA Creed, a piece of writing by E.M. Tiffany that expresses the beliefs of this organization and its members.

 

So there you have it. An organization of youth striving to learn and advocate about agriculture while building life skills.

 

Maybe you've never heard of the FFA. That's fine; many people haven't. Here are some numbers that will blow your mind a little bit about this organization of which you've never heard. (https://www.ffa.org/about/what-is-ffa/ffa-history )

• There are 610,240 FFA members nationwide who are anywhere between ages 12 and 18, plus those who choose to pursue FFA into their collegiate career.
• Across the nation and including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, there are 7,665 FFA chapters.
• The FFA was formed in 1928 when 33 members gathered in Kansas City, Missouri.
• Women were not allowed to join until 1969, and now women make up over 45 percent of the membership, as well as half of all state leadership positions.
• Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins, Easton Corbin, Bo Jackson and Jordy Nelson were all FFA members. Nelson was a member of a Kansas chapter: Riley County. Sam Brownback, Governor of Kansas, was also an FFA member. Even Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States was an FFA member. (http://www.porknetwork.com/e-newsletters/pork-daily/Lighter-Side-Taylor-Swift-and-other-famous-FFA-members-254371491.html )

With this in mind, it's likely that a good fraction of the people you are friends with, or just come into contact with, are members or are alumni of the FFA. Wearing the blue corduroy jacket isn't just a phase of life; it's a way of life.



Photo by Ally Burr