National FFA Organization facts for kids
 |
|
| Formation | 1928 |
|---|---|
| Type | Youth organization |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) non-profit organization |
| Headquarters |
|
|
Region served
|
 United States Puerto Rico United States Virgin Islands |
|
Membership
|
945,988 (9,163 chapters in 50 state associations and 2 territories) |
| Dr. Travis Park | |
| Scott Stump | |
|
National FFA President
|
Amara Jackson |
|
|
|
Formerly called
|
Future Farmers of Virginia |
| National FFA Organization | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
   |
|||
The National FFA Organization, often called FFA, is a non-profit group in America. It helps middle and high school students learn about agriculture and related careers. FFA started in 1925 in Virginia as the Future Farmers of Virginia.
In 1928, it grew into a national group called Future Farmers of America. The name changed to the National FFA Organization in 1988. This new name showed that FFA is for all students interested in food, plants, animals, and natural resources. This includes science, business, and technology, not just farming. FFA is one of the biggest youth groups in the United States. It has over 945,000 members in 9,163 local chapters. These chapters are in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
Contents
What is the National FFA Organization?
The National FFA Organization is a youth group that helps young people grow as leaders. It aims to develop their potential for strong leadership, personal growth, and success in their careers. All of this happens through agricultural education.
The FFA Motto is: Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.
FFA works as part of a three-part agricultural education system. This system includes classroom learning, hands-on projects, and the FFA student group. FFA members can join in Career Development Events (CDEs). These events help them practice job skills in areas like communication and mechanics. Some events are for individuals, while others are for teams. These competitions happen at local, state, and national levels.
Agricultural education teachers guide students. They work with parents, employers, and other adults. This teamwork helps students reach their learning and career goals. The official colors of FFA are national blue and corn gold.
Supervised Agricultural Experience Programs
To be an active FFA member, you need a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project. These projects let you use what you learn in agricultural classes in real-life situations. Each state FFA group sets the rules for SAE projects.
SAE programs fit into four main types:
- Foundational: This is about learning the big picture of agriculture and related jobs.
- Research/Experimentation and Analysis: This involves doing research or studying information to find new knowledge.
- Ownership/Entrepreneurship: This means planning and running your own agriculture-related business.
- Placement/Internship: This is working for pay or experience in an agricultural setting.
Official FFA Dress
.jpg)
The Famous FFA Jacket
The most well-known symbol of FFA is the blue corduroy jacket. FFA members wear this jacket. The back of the jacket has a large FFA emblem and the name of the member's state. Below the emblem, it shows the name of the local FFA chapter or area.
The front of the jacket has a smaller FFA emblem on the left side. The member's name and sometimes their office or year are on the right side. Members can also wear award pins or officer pins under their names. Members must wear the jacket as part of their official dress for all FFA activities.
The FFA jacket was first made for the Fredericktown FFA Chapter band. It became the official jacket for all members in 1933. The color of the jacket has changed slightly over the years. In 2004, FFA worked to make sure all jackets had the same "national blue" color. They also improved the embroidered emblems and the fit of the jackets.
What is Official FFA Dress?
FFA members must wear official FFA dress during official activities. The National FFA Organization updated its rules recently. Now, members can wear any item they feel comfortable in. This includes items that were once only for one gender. Religious clothing, like head coverings, is also allowed.
Official dress includes:
- Black slacks or a black skirt.
- A white button-up shirt with a collar.
- An official FFA blue scarf or tie.
- Black dress shoes with closed heels and toes.
- Black socks or nylon hosiery.
- An official FFA jacket zipped all the way up.
Awards and Pins
FFA members earn metal pins for their achievements in the organization. These pins can be worn on the front of the FFA jacket. However, you can only wear up to three pins at one time. These pins go below the member's name on the right side. They show the highest degree, highest office, or highest award earned.
There are two exceptions for pin placement. When a member earns a State FFA Degree or American FFA Degree, these special keys should be worn above the name. No other pins should be worn with them.
FFA Traditions
FFA has many traditions and symbols that show it is an agricultural education group.
- The FFA Motto: Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.
- The FFA Mission: To help students grow as leaders, personally, and in their careers through agricultural education.
- The Official FFA Colors: National Blue and Corn Gold. These colors are seen on the official FFA jackets.
The FFA Emblem
The FFA emblem has several parts, each with a special meaning:
- Cross section of the ear of corn: This stands for unity. Corn grows everywhere in the United States, connecting all members.
- Rising Sun: This means progress. It reminds members that each day brings new opportunities.
- Plow: This shows hard work and caring for the soil. It also represents the strong history of our country.
- Eagle: This symbolizes freedom and the chance to explore new ideas in agriculture.
- Owl: This represents knowledge. The owl is known for its wisdom.
- Agriculture Education and FFA: This shows how learning and leadership work together.
The FFA Creed
The FFA Creed was written by E.M. Tiffany. It was first adopted at the 3rd National FFA Convention. It has been updated a few times since then. New members recite the creed to show their belief in agriculture and agricultural education. Members must also memorize and recite the FFA Creed to earn the Greenhand Degree.
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 better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.
I believe that to live and work on a good farm or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement I cannot deny.
I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturists to serve our own and the public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil.
I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining; in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so-for others as well as myself; in less need for charity and more of it when needed; in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends upon me.
I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.
How FFA is Organized
FFA is set up at different levels across the country. The main levels are:
- National level: This covers all of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- State level: Each state has its own FFA association.
- Chapter level: This is for a single school or a group of schools in an area.
FFA started for high school students. Now, middle school students can also join, sometimes as young as 12. This lets members get involved earlier and stay active longer. Each local chapter is part of its state association and the national organization. There are also FFA chapters for college students.
Most states hold FFA conventions at least once a year. Members come together to compete, receive awards, and attend leadership workshops. The National FFA Convention & Expo happens once a year in the fall. It has been held in different cities over the years, including Kansas City, Louisville, and Indianapolis. Indianapolis will host the convention until at least 2033.
FFA Officers
FFA is led by students. Members elect officers from their own group at different levels. These officers help run meetings using special rules called parliamentary procedure. Each officer has a specific role and a symbol that represents it.
Main Officers
- President: Symbolized by the rising sun, representing a new era in agriculture. The president leads meetings.
- Vice President: Symbolized by the plow, which stands for hard work and caring for the soil. The vice president leads meetings when the president is away.
- Secretary: Symbolized by the ear of corn. The secretary keeps records of meetings and communicates with other secretaries.
- Treasurer: Symbolized by George Washington. The treasurer keeps careful records of money, just like Washington did with his farm accounts.
- Reporter: Symbolized by the flag. The reporter shares information about FFA with the public.
- Sentinel: Symbolized by the door. The sentinel welcomes members, helps keep the meeting room ready, and assists the president in keeping order.
Other Officer Roles
Some chapters might also have these officers:
- Chaplain: Leads prayers and blessings at events.
- Parliamentarian: Makes sure meetings follow proper rules.
- Historian: Keeps records of past events and maintains a chapter scrapbook.
- Student Advisor: Helps the main advisor and can fill in for other officers if needed.
- Executive Committee/Executive Board: A group of officers who help make decisions.
All officers are agriculture students. They are elected each year by the members at their level.
Important Moments in FFA History
- 1928: FFA is officially started.
- 1929: National Blue and Corn Gold become the official colors.
- 1930: The Official FFA Creed is adopted.
- 1944: The FFA Foundation is created to support the organization.
- 1950: The U.S. Congress gives FFA a special charter. This shows FFA's importance in school-based agricultural education.
- 1953: The U.S. Postal Service issues an FFA postage stamp.
- 1965: FFA becomes desegregated. It joins with the New Farmers of America, a group for students of color.
- 1969: Girls are allowed to become FFA members.
- 1988: The name changes from Future Farmers of America to National FFA Organization.
- 2006: The National FFA Foundation gets its first $1 million donation from Ford Motor Company.
- 2010: FFA members earn a record 3,449 American FFA Degrees, a high award.
- 2011: The National FFA Alumni Association celebrates 40 years.
- 2015: National FFA celebrates 50 years since joining with the NFA.
- 2017: Ms. Breanna Holbert from California is elected as the first female African-American National President.
- 2019: FFA celebrates 50 years of female leaders in the organization.
Career & Leadership Development Events
FFA Career and Leadership Development Events (CDE/LDEs) are competitions for members. They test skills learned in agricultural education classes. These events vary by state and level. Some are only held at certain levels or in specific areas.
At the national level, there are 25 CDE/LDEs offered:
- Agricultural Communications
- Agricultural Issues Forum
- Agricultural Sales
- Agricultural Technology & Mechanical System
- Agronomy (study of crops and soils)
- Conduct of Chapter Meetings
- Creed Speaking
- Dairy Cattle Evaluation & Management
- Employment Skills
- Environmental & Natural Resources
- Extemporaneous Public Speaking (speaking without much preparation)
- Farm & Agribusiness Management
- Floriculture (growing and arranging flowers)
- Food Science & Technology
- Forestry
- Horse Evaluation
- Livestock Evaluation
- Marketing Plan
- Meats Evaluation & Technology
- Milk Quality & Products
- Nursery/Landscape
- Parliamentary Procedure (rules for running meetings)
- Poultry Evaluation
- Prepared Public Speaking
- Veterinary Science
Some CDE/LDEs are offered in certain states but not at the national level. These include:
- Agricultural Mechanics Skills
- Cattle Evaluation
- Tractor driving
- Range Judging
Talent Competition, Band, and Chorus
Besides the CDE/LDEs, FFA also has a national band and chorus. They also host a talent competition. Concert bands have been part of FFA since 1933. The National FFA Chorus and Talent competition started in 1948. Since then, members from these groups perform at each National FFA Convention. Members who want to join the talent competition must apply and audition. For the band and chorus, members also need to apply to participate.
Famous FFA Alumni
Many well-known people were once FFA members.
In Politics
- Sam Brownback: Former Governor of Kansas and U.S. Senator.
- Jimmy Carter: The 39th President of the United States.
- Rick Perry: Former U.S. Secretary of Energy and Governor of Texas.
In Entertainment
- Trace Adkins: Country music singer.
- Johnny Cash: Famous country and rock & roll singer.
- Chris Colfer: Actor, known for the TV show Glee.
- Steve Doocy: TV personality on Fox News Channel.
- Matthew Fox: Actor, known for Lost.
- Toby Keith: Country music singer and actor.
- Lyle Lovett: Country music singer.
- Nicolas Cage: Actor.
- Tim McGraw: Country music singer.
- Willie Nelson: Country music singer.
- Taylor Swift: Country and pop music singer.
In the Arts
- Jim Davis: Creator of the Garfield comic strip.
- Jared Hess: Director of the movie Napoleon Dynamite.
Other Notable People
- Josh Allen: Quarterback for the Buffalo Bills (NFL).
- Bo Jackson: Famous athlete who played both professional football and baseball.
- Sterling Marlin: NASCAR driver.
- Ellison Onizuka: American astronaut.
- Carroll Shelby: Car designer and racing driver.
