Discovering the National FFA Organization

1 What is the FFA? Mission and goals

What’s in a name? Old Name: “Future Farmers of America” Current Name: “The National FFA Organization” 1988: name changed to reflect the growing diversity in the industry of agriculture More than just “farmers”

MISSION STATEMENT "FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education."

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION A Three Component System

SCHOOL-BASED AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION Classroom/Laboratory instruction Contextual learning Interactive activities and lessons Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) Work-based learning Extern/Internships, research, etc. Student leadership organizations National FFA Organization National Young Farmer Educational Association (NYFEA) National Post-secondary Agricultural Student Organization (PAS)

The National FFA - Colors National Blue Blue reminds us that the FFA is a national organization. Corn Gold Gold reminds us that corn is a native American crop grown in every state.

Learning to Do Doing to Learn Earning to Live Living to Serve MOTTO Doing to Learn Earning to Live Living to Serve

THE EMBLEM The FFA emblem was designed with much thought and meaning. It is made up of six symbols.

CROSS SECTION OF AN EAR OF CORN Represents UNITY represents our common agricultural interests, is native to America, and is grown in every state.

RISING SUN Represents PROGRESS progress in agriculture and the confidence that FFA members have in the future.

Represents LABOR & TILLAGE of the Soil PLOW Represents LABOR & TILLAGE of the Soil Agriculture is the backbone of our nation

EAGLE Represents FREEDOM Our national symbol also represents the scope of the FFA and our ability to explore new horizons

OWL Represents KNOWLEDGE Wisdom and knowledge is required to be successful in the agricultural industry

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION and FFA WORDS AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION and FFA Combination of learning and leadership is necessary for progressive agriculture

FFA CREED - Paragraph 1 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.

FFA CREED - Paragraph 2 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.

FFA CREED - Paragraph 3 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.

FFA CREED - Paragraph 4 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.

FFA CREED - Paragraph 5 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. Written by E.M. Tiffany and adopted at the Third National FFA Convention. It was revised at the 38th and 63rd Conventions.

TO ACCOMPLISH ITS MISSION, FFA: Develops competent and assertive agricultural leadership. Increases awareness of the global and technological importance of agriculture and its contribution to our well-being. Strengthens the confidence of agriculture students in themselves and their work. Promotes the intelligent choice and establishment of an agricultural career.

TO ACCOMPLISH ITS MISSION, FFA: Encourages achievement in supervised agricultural experience programs. Encourages wise management of economic, environmental and human resources of the community. Develops interpersonal skills in teamwork, communications, human relations and social interaction.

TO ACCOMPLISH ITS MISSION, FFA: Builds character and promotes citizenship, volunteerism and patriotism. Promotes cooperation and cooperative attitudes among all people. Promotes healthy lifestyles. Encourages excellence in scholarship.

Opportunities available within FFA 2 What do FFA members do? Opportunities available within FFA

At a Glance: SAEs, CDEs, LDEs, & Careers in Agriculture https://www.ffa.org/ffa-video- center#206125476

Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) required component of an agricultural education program year-round program made up of projects where you apply agricultural skills and knowledge learned in the classroom Ownership/Entrepreneurship Placement/Internship Research Exploratory School-Based Enterprise Service-learning

Career Development Events (CDEs) build on what you learn in class and through FFA practice making decisions and experience both teamwork and friendly competition provide opportunities to develop skills today that you can use in your future career LDE = Leadership Development Event http://www.flaffa.org/career-development-events-2/#msevents

Team Based CDEs (Middle School) Floriculture Food Science & Technology Forestry Horse Evaluation Aquaculture Citrus Conduct of Chapter Meetings (LDE) Dairy Cattle Evaluation & Management

Team Based CDEs (Middle School) Parliamentary Procedure (LDE) Poultry Evaluation Tool Identification Vegetable Evaluation Land Evaluation Livestock Evaluation Opening & Closing Ceremonies Ornamental Horticulture Demo

Individual CDEs (Middle School) Creed Speaking Extemporaneous Public Speaking Ornamental Horticulture Demo Prepare Public Speaking

Types of Membership Active FFA members – those who are enrolled in an agriculture course and have paid their membership dues. Collegiate FFA members – also belong to FFA chapters at colleges and universities where they are enrolled in agriculture courses. Alumni membership – is open to anyone interested in supporting and promoting agricultural education and FFA. Honorary membership – is given to individuals who have provided outstanding service to FFA and agricultural education

AWARDS & DEGREES Members can earn degrees as they progress through the phases of their leadership, academic and career skills development. Discovery Degree (middle school) Green hand (9th grade) Chapter (10th grade) State (12th grade) American (after high school) → Only 3% receive this! https://www.ffa.org/ffa-video-center#205461941

What do FFA members wear? Official Dress

Only Blue Will Do! Males Females Official FFA jacket, zipped to the top Black slacks (no jeans) White collared shirt Official FFA tie Black dress shoes worn with black socks Females Official FFA jacket, zipped to the top Black skirt White collared shirt Official FFA blue scarf Black closed heel and toe dress shoes worn with black nylon hosiery https://www.ffa.org/ffa-video-center#198696963

HOW TO BECOME MEMBER Pay your State & National FFA Dues Dues are $20.00 Sign up with your Agriculture Teacher Fill out a membership application Maintain at least a 2.0 GPA