1. Introduction to the National FFA Organization

2. What is it?
A student organization specifically for Agriculture education students that is part of the whole educational experience.

3. To promote premier leadership, personal growth, and career
Primary Aim
To promote premier leadership, personal growth, and career
success through
agricultural
education

4. Mission Statement
FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of members by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.

5. Requirements for FFA Membership
Junior membership (MS) - 8 years of age until 9th grade year.
Senior membership - Grades and up to 21 years of age.
Must be/have been enrolled in agriculture or have an agriculture education plan
Must be in good standing with local chapter
Dues are $15 for seniors and $5 for juniors.

6. What is FFA? Dynamic youth organization
National FFA Organization represents growing diversity of agriculture
629,327 members engaged in wide range of agricultural education activities
7,757 FFA Chapters
Can lead to over 300 career opportunities

7. What the FFA Can Do For You
The FFA can do much for you, provided you put something into it. It will help you to:
Develop your leadership qualities through experiences leading
Work with other people
Develop qualities that make for character
Serve other people in your community
Learn to practice thrift

8. What the FFA Can Do For You
Desire to make good grades
Have experiences in recreational activities
Learn the values of patriotism
Obtain experiences in expressing yourself to groups and individuals
Develop self-confidence, citizenship, and patriotism

9. What does FFA stand for? Future Farmers of America
Changed to National FFA Organization

10. History
Vocational agriculture established by the Smith-Hughes Act in 1917
Organized nationally in 1928 at the Hotel Baltimore in Kansas City, Missouri
Original dues set at 10 cents per member
Father of the FFA-Henry C. Groseclose
Mississippi FFA chartered in 1934 as the 49th charter
Petal FFA chartered under the name of East Forrest in 1934 as the 22nd charter

11. History
National FFA Foundation, Inc. to provide funds from business and industry for support
The National FUTURE FARMER
New Farmers of America and FFA merge
Females allowed to join
Future Farmers of America becomes National FFA Organization
The National FUTURE FARMER becomes FFA New Horizons

12. History 1999 - National FFA Convention moves to Louisville, Kentucky
National FFA Convention moved to Indianapolis, Indiana
2013 -Present – National FFA Convention will alternate between Louisville, Kentucky and Indianapolis, Indiana

13. SAE Supervised Agricultural Experience Learning by doing
Reflects agricultural interests and career goals
Training in goal setting, planning, and record keeping
Placement, Entrepreneurship, Exploratory, and Research programs

14. Types of Membership
Active
Honorary
Alumni
Collegiate

15. Degrees of Active Membership
Greenhand
Chapter FFA
State FFA
American FFA

16. Symbols of the FFA Emblem
Cross-section of the ear of corn - Unity
Rising Sun - Progress and a new era in agriculture
Plow - Symbolic of labor and tillage of the soil
American Eagle - Freedom and the national scope of the organization
Owl - Wisdom and knowledge
Words “Agricultural Education” and “FFA” - Combination of leadership and learning

17. Emblem and “FFA”
Protected by trademark registration in the U.S. Patent Office
Protected by Public Law 225, 105th Congress
When printed the Emblem, “Future Farmers of America”, and “FFA” must be identified by a small capital “R” in a circle
Other FFA Marks should use “TM” to identify unregistered names or symbols

18. National Blue Corn Gold
Official FFA Colors
National Blue
Corn Gold

19. Learning to do, Doing to learn, Earning to live, Living to serve.
The FFA Motto
Learning to do,
Doing to learn,
Earning to live,
Living to serve.

20. FFA Salute The Pledge of Allegiance
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

21. FFA New Horizons Published 6 times per year (bi-monthly)
Purpose is to publish information on ag education, FFA, ag careers, and various youth-oriented topics
Members automatically subscribed when dues are paid
$2.25 of dues goes to support magazine

22. What You Can Do For the FFA
Attend all meetings and take an active interest in the activities.
Carry out assigned responsibilities.
Take the initiative to become familiar with the FFA.
Support and cooperate with chapter leaders
If chosen as an officer, consider it a responsibility, not merely an honor.
Plan and carry out committee responsibilities toward achievement of goals that improve the chapter.
At times, function as a desirable chapter representative.

23. Official Dress Female members Black skirt - knee length
White collared blouse
Official FFA blue scarf
Black dress shoes with closed toe and heel
Black nylon hosiery
Official FFA jacket zipped to the top

24. Official Dress Male members Black slacks White collared shirt
Official FFA tie
Black dress shoes
Black socks
Official FFA jacket zipped to the top

25. FFA Creed
The creed was written by E. M. Tiffany and adopted at the Third National Convention of the FFA. It was revised at the 38th and 63rd Conventions.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others
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 one and public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil.

29. 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 on me.

30. 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.

31. Officers of Local Chapter
President– Presides over all meetings
Vice-president– Assists president and directs all committee work
Secretary– Keeps minutes of all meetings
Treasurer– Keeps financial records
Reporter– Reports chapter news
Sentinel– Assists president in maintaining order
Student Advisor– Advises FFA members

32. Petal Officers President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Reporter
Sentinel
Student Advisor

33. State Officers President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Reporter
Sentinel

34. National Officers President 4 Vice presidents (1 for each region)
Secretary
National Advisor – Steve Brown
National Executive Secretary – Charles Browne
National Treasurer - Marion Fletcher

35. Symbols of Officers’ Stations
President - Rising sun
Vice-president - Plow
Secretary - Ear of corn
Treasurer - Bust of Washington
Reporter - American flag
Sentinel - Shield of friendship
Advisor – Owl

36. Symbols of Officers’ Stations

37. POA Program of Activities
Defines chapter goals and outlines steps to meet goals
Written guide that provides administrators, advisory committees, alumni, and others with a calendar of events

38. POA continued ensures chapter activities meet the needs of the members
provides direction year to year
leads to a workable budget
provides experience in planning
serves as a reference point

39. Parliamentary Procedure
Purpose - promote efficient meetings so that business can be conducted in an orderly manner
Ensures:
one item addressed at a time
courtesy is extended to everyone
the majority rules
the rights of the minority are protected
Used in various other meetings: city council, supervisors, court, etc.

40. Use of the Gavel
One tap - be seated following opening ceremony, completion of business item, announcement of adjournment
Two taps - calls the meeting to order
Three taps - all members stand in unison on third tap
Series of sharp taps - restore order

41. Main Motions Be recognized (Presiding officer)
State the motion (I move to… Or I make a motion to …)
Second (another member)
Discussion of motion (whole group)
Vote (majority required to pass)

42. Voting Voice (saying aye or nay) Rising (raising hand or standing)
Secret ballot (written)
Most motions require a majority vote to pass (>50%)
Use Robert’s Rules of Order

43. Opening Ceremony President states: “FFA members, why are we here?”
Taps gavel 3 times (members rise on 3rd tap)
Members reply: “To practice brotherhood, honor agricultural opportunities and responsibilities, and develop those qualities of leadership which an FFA member should possess.”
Taps gavel one time (members are to be seated)

44. Proficiency Awards Awards excellence in SAEs
Recognition on local, state, and national levels
Placement - work experience
Entrepreneurship - ownership of enterprise
47 areas

45. CDE Career Development Events
Enhances ability to think clearly, communicate clearly, and perform effectively in a competitive world
Develops premier leadership, personal growth, and career success
Federation, District, State, and National Levels

46. Conventions
First National Convention held in Kansas City, Missouri, during the time of the American Royal Livestock Show
National Convention held annually in the month of October
Mississippi FFA State Convention held each year in June

47. Membership
557,318 members in 7,487 chapters throughout the 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
27% of FFA members live in rural, farm areas; the remainder live in rural non- farm (39%), urban and suburban areas (34%)
MS has nearly 3743 members in 108 chapters

48. 38% of FFA members are female; women hold more than 50% of state leadership positions
77% of our membership is Caucasian; 17% is Hispanic and 4% is African-American
89% of FFA members are in grades 9-12; 6% are in grades 7-8; 5% are high school graduates

49. Officials State Advisor – Lee James
State Coordinator – Tiffany Gauthier

50. Mississippi Districts
Three FFA districts(North, Central, South)
12 Federations (4 in each district)
C. M. Brewer FFA Leadership Conference center - 10 acres located in Raymond

51. Official Song
“Hail the FFA”

52. Essentials of a good chapter
Knowledgeability concerning FFA on the part of every member
Capable officers and leaders
A sharing of responsibilities by all members in chapter activities
A challenging program of activities

53. Essentials of a good chapter
Adequate financing for all chapter activities
Proper paraphernalia, equipment, and records
Well-planned, regularly held chapter meetings
Support by school officials and community leaders

54. Dues
National $7
State $5
Local $3
Total $15

55. What the FFA Does Educational tours and contests Tour members’ farms
Teaches thrift
Judging contests
Attend leadership training meetings
Parliamentary Procedure training

56. What the FFA Does
Honor and recognize outstanding members, parents, and friends
Hold parent-member banquet
Attend the State FFA Convention
Sponsor worthwhile events
Barnwarming and parties
Cooperate in community activities