1. The FFA and You!

2. What are the purposes of the FFA? Scholarship Cooperation Recreation Service Thrift Improved Agriculture Leadership Citizenship Patriotism Character The purpose of the FFA is to develop:

3. Improved Agriculture Helps students to understand how life has been made easier through improvements in agriculture –milking dairy cows 400-2000 cows by machine twice / 3 times a day 20-40 cows by hand twice a day –tractors - 1acre field feeds 20 people by hand 5 farmers with 5 acres = 500 people 1 farmer with a tractor 1000 acres = 20,000 people

4. Leadership Ability to influence other people to meet individual or group goals –You need to decide where you want to be :LEAD, FOLLOW or GET OUT OF THE WAY –You have to decide what role is best suited for each situation –You have to be able to assume all roles or change your role very quickly in some situations

5. Citizenship Being a productive member of society –if you don’t have to be on welfare or food stamps to survive then DON’T –When you have your hand out ….. Are you offering or asking for something

6. Patriotism Loyalty and love for one’s country You have to be loyal to what you believe in Make decision’s in life and get off the fence

7. Character Morals or values What you believe in or stand for What kind of person are you? How do people look at you? –Are you honest? –Are you a thief?

8. Scholarship Academics –strive to be the best students you can be –work hard and obtain good grades –if you need help with an assignment have the courage to ask Albert Einstein was learning disabled

9. Cooperation The act or practice of cooperating To work together towards a common end or purpose What happens when people don’t cooperate? What happens when they do?

10. Recreation Allows students to have fun with each other –camps, basketball

11. Service Helping others Employment in duties or work for another Helping other students or community members Service with a SMILE….... Whether it’s cleaning floors or being the President of the US

12. Thrift Wise economy in the management of money and other resources –using time wisely Wisely economical –thrift stores

13. Being active in the FFA allows opportunities too... TRAVEL HAVE FUN MEET PEOPLE

14. The FFA stresses three closely related areas: LEADERSHIP PERSONAL GROWTH CAREER SUCCESS

15. Describe Leadership? Ability to influence other people to meet individual or group goals A leader is a person who helps others meet their goals With a little practice these traits can be learned by anyone –personal skills –“how to” skills –“thinking” skills –“people”skills

16. Leaders are not born…. They are EDUCATED

17. Personal skills Traits that make it easy for people to follow the leader –responsibility –hard working –share responsibility

18. “How to” skills Helps a leader to share responsibility –organizational skills –organizes meetings –public speaking –written communication

19. “Thinking” skills Enables a leader to think and assess problems –analyzing situations –anticipate problems –seeing opportunities

20. “People” skills Helps leader relate to others –trustworthy –respect others –positive attitude –good communication skills

21. Describe Personal Growth? Developing skills to have a good life Leadership skills + Career skills = Personal Growth Social behavior –manners - help us respect others Citizenship skills –obey laws, vote, make your community a good place to live

22. How to shake hands: use in saying hello or goodbye, sealing business deals 1. Use right hand 2. Grasp - palm to palm (don’t squeeze) 3. Shake don’t pump 4. Release after a few seconds 5. Eye contact 6. Smile 7. Speak

23. Describe Career Success? Helps people develop skills to begin and advance in careers Recognizes excellence Applied through Agricultural Education and SAE to gain practical experience in many areas –some do research others raise animals or crops

24. Describe and compare the history of the FFA now and then It has always been the students first – their needs, interests, and goals You have to know where you have been….. to know where you are going

25. History con’t 1920’s Future Farmers of America was founded by Henry Groseclose in rural Virginia 1928 1st FFA convention in Kansas City Missouri - 33 delegates 1934 all states except Rhode Island had FFA 1939 National FFA Camp on land which belonged to George Washington in in Alexandria, Virginia. (The camp later became the National FFA Center.)

26. History con’t 1944 National FFA Foundation was formed to use funds from business and industry to support FFA activities. 1950 Public Law 740 was passed by Congress granting the FFA a federal charter. 1958 The National Future Farmer magazine was started.

27. History con’t 1965 Consolidation with the New Farmers of America (NFA) strengthened the FFA. (NFA was an organization similar to the FFA for African American students.) 1969 Female students were allowed to become members. 1971 National FFA Alumni Association was formed.

28. History con’t 1988 Name of the organization was changed to National FFA Organization. 1989 Name of The National Future Farmer magazine was changed to New Horizons. 1999 National FFA Center moved from Alexandria, VA, to Indianapolis, IN. 1999 The National FFA Convention was moved to Louisville, Kentucky.

29. How do you become a member? Kinds of FFA Membership 1. Active 2. Alumni 3. Collegiate 4. Honorary

30. What is active membership? Students enrolled in agricultural classes in grades 7-12 Pay local, State and National Dues $10 Be interested in FFA Attend meetings on a regular basis Participate in activities 4 categories of active status –Greenhand, Chapter Farmer, State Degree, American Farmer

31. Greenhand versus Chapter farmer Greenhand –Enrolled in Ag with a plan for an SAE –Learn Creed, Motto, Salute and Mission –Explain colors and emblem –Demo code of ethics and proper jacket use –history, constitutions and bylaws, POA –Access to manual and handbook Chapter –Received Greenhand –180hrs class time –3 activities –earned or invested $150 or worked 45 hours –Lead a 15 min group discussion –5 Parli Pro activities –progress towards goal –C average in all classes

32. Compare other memberships? Alumni - former members and others interested in the FFA organization Collegiate - students enrolled in a 2 or 4 year college Honorary - adults who have been supportive of the FFA, voted on by members

33. What activities are available with in the FFA? Something for everyone

34. Define Career Development Events and Proficiency Awards Career Development Events –Allow members to show the skills learned in the classroom or through SAE’s –either individual or group competitions –can earn cash, travel and scholarships Proficiency Awards –allows students to compete for top achievement in a skill area at local, State and National levels –based on SAE’s –can earn cash, travel and scholarships

35. How do I become a good FFA member? More than just paying dues Know about the organization and its impressive heritage Be able to: –State the motto –Explain the colors –Describe the FFA emblem –Explain the official dress –Recite the FFA creed

36. FFA Motto Learning to Do Doing to Learn Earning to Live Living to Serve

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

38. Symbols of the FFA Emblem The FFA emblem was designed with much thought and meaning. It is made up of five symbols.

39. Symbols of the FFA Emblem A cross-section of an ear of corn. The symbol of corn represents our common agricultural interests, is native to America, and is grown in every state.

40. Symbols of the FFA Emblem The eagle. This is symbolic of the national scope of the FFA.

41. Symbols of the FFA Emblem The rising sun. It symbolizes progress in agriculture and the confidence that FFA members have in the future.

42. Symbols of the FFA Emblem The plow. It is a symbol of labor and tillage of the soil.

43. Symbols of the FFA Emblem The owl. It symbolizes wisdom and knowledge.

44. Symbols of the FFA Emblem The words “Agricultural Education“ surround the letters “FFA.” This tells us that FFA is an important part of agriculture and agribusiness programs.

45. Some Guidelines For Wearing the FFA Jacket 1. It should only be worn by FFA members. 2. It should always be clean and neat. 3. It should only have the names of the state association and local chapter on the back. Individual’s name and office of honor should be on the front.

46. Some Guidelines For Wearing the FFA Jacket 4. It should be worn with the zipper fastened to all official FFA occasions. 5. It should not be worn with apparel bearing the insignia of other organizations. 6. It should be worn with no more than three medals beneath the individual’s name.

47. The FFA Creed 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.

48. The FFA Creed 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 fond- ness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny.

49. The FFA Creed 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.

50. The FFA Creed 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.

51. The FFA Creed 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.

52. What are the member responsibilities? Learn about the FFA Participate Volunteer for committees and to be an officer support all members Participate in leadership development activities Have a good SAE Keep good records Take studies seriously Respect others Avoid substance that can harm you Practice good eating and sleeping habits Follow school and community rules Strive to develop good human relation skills Tell others of FFA

53. Where to get more information http://www.ffa.org FFA Student Handbook FFA official Manual You FFA Advisor Older FFA members