1. The National FFA Organization
September 2015
Mr. Brown
The National FFA Organization

2. What is the FFA?
The National FFA Organization used to be know as Future Farmers of America.
When it was originally created in 1928, the FFA existed to prepare students for careers primarily in production agriculture.
An organization was needed to prepare students in high school for the rapidly modernizing world of agriculture.

3. What is the FFA?
The National FFA Organization is a dynamic youth organization that changes lives and prepares students for:
Premier leadership,
Personal growth, and…
Career success through agricultural education.

4. The Three Circle Model
An example of what works well in education, FFA is an intracurricular organization that implements the three-circle model of education
Classroom instruction
Supervised agricultural Experience
Hands-on learning
Leadership development through FFA programs.

5. It’s “Intracurricular”
The FFA is an intracurricular organization.
combines classroom education with hands-on lab experiences and out-of-class activities to best prepare students for the life they want to have after high school.
By combining classroom education with real-world experience, you will be best prepared to get into the college of your choice and obtain a fulfilling and rewarding career in a field that interests you.
The FFA is not a club!
Not just anyone can be an FFA member – you have to be a part of a high school that offers agricultural education.

6. Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE’S)
Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs) are any experience you might have outside the classroom related to agriculture, science, the environment, business, and technology.

7. SAE Hour Requirements (we will learn more about this later!)
Freshman: 50 hours
Sophomores: 200 hours
Juniors: 200 hours
Seniors: 200 hours

8. Career Development Events
Career Development Events (CDEs) are another FFA competition
allow you compete and gain recognition and awards while preparing for a future career.
CDE’s are:
team-based events in which you compete against other students in competitions related to careers.
based on current industry standards, where FFA members can demonstrate the knowledge and skills gained from 1) classroom instruction, 2) their SAE and 3) FFA activities. Source:

9. CDE’s Dairy Evaluation Environmental/ Natural Resources
Agriculture Mechanics
Food Science
Milk Quality and Products
Farm Business Management
Parli Pro
Ag Comm
Vet Tech
Ag Sales
Agriscience Fair
Aquaculture
Quizbowl **
Tractor Driving
Job Interview
Ag Marketing
Floriculture
Forestry
Nursery- Landscape
Poultry
Meats
Livestock
Horse Judging
Opening and closing ceremonies **
** Only for freshman
Extemporaneous speaking
Prepared Public Speaking
Creed Speaking ***

10. Freshman Only CDE’s Opening and Closing (freshman and sophomores
Creed Speaking
FFA Knowledge

11. Introduction to the FFA

12. The National FFA Organization
The National FFA is the largest student-run organization in the United States with our 500,000 members annually in middle school, high school, and college.
The FFA was created in 1928.
It is a federated system of state associations, located in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam.

13. Types of FFA Membership
Active: enrolled in an agriscience class and has paid their dues
Collegiate: enrolled in a two or four year college with an FFA program
Alumni: former members
Honorary: those who support the FFA

14. Degrees of Active Membership
Greenhand Degree: offered to new members who demonstrate a basic understanding of the ffa and has plans for SAE and career preparation.
Chapter Degree
State Degree
American Degree

15. How is the FFA governed Each school’s program is called a Chapter.
We are the Stamford Regional FFA Chapter
FFA Chapters are run by an elected FFA President, an Officer Team, and advisors.

16. Chapter Officers 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: Report chapter news
Sentinel: Assists president in maintaining order

17. Chapter Officer’s Continued
Advisor: Advises FFA members on all matters relating to the chapter
Historian: Keeps chapter scrapbook
Parliamentarian: Informs the members on correct parliamentary procedure
Student Advisor: Assists the advisor and other officers.

18. Chapter Officer Symbols
Rising sun– President
Plow– Vice-president
Ear of corn– Secretary
Bust of Washington– Treasurer
American flag– Reporter
Shield of friendship– Sentinel
Owl– Advisor / Student Advisor
Eagle– Parliamentarian
Scrolls-- Historian

19. The FFA Emblem The national ffa emblem contains 5 symbols
Symbols represent the history, goals and future of the organization
Covers broad spectrum of FFA and Agriculture

20. Symbols of the FFA Emblem
Cross-section of an ear of corn:
represents our common agricultural interests
native to America
grown in every state

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

22. Symbols of the Emblem
C. The plow: It is a symbol of labor and tillage of the soil.

23. Symbols of the Emblem
D. The owl: It symbolizes wisdom and knowledge.

24. Symbols of the Emblem
E. The eagle: This is symbolic of the national scope of the FFA.

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

26. FFA Colors
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.

27. FFA Motto
Learning to do, Doing to learn, Earning to live, Living to serve. *Every student must recite this to meet the requirements of successfully completing the FFA unit.*

28. FFA Mission
FFA 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.
The FFA Salute is the Pledge of Allegiance.

29. FFA Creed Written by E.M Tiffany
Adopted at the 3rd National Convention
Five Paragraphs with Six Sentences Each
Each paragraph begins with “I Believe”
If you choose to memorize the FFA Creed you may participate in the Creed Speaking CDE!

30. FFA Official Dress
Official Dress is the term for the ‘uniform’ of FFA members. Official Dress consists of:
A FFA Jacket
A white collared shirt or blouse
A FFA Tie or Scarf
Black dress pants or a black skirt
Black socks or nylons
Black shoes or heels.

31. Official Dress Rules The jacket is to be worn only by members
The jacket should be kept clean and neat
The back of the jacket should have only:
A large official emblem
The name of the state association
(Connecticut)
Name of the local chapter (Stamford)

32. Official Dress Rules
It should be worn with zippered fastened to all FFA occasions
It should not be worn with apparel bearing the insignia of other organizations
It should be worn with no more than three medals beneath the individual’s name

33. FFA Response
During the FFA meeting the President will ask: “FFA Members, why are we here?”
The President will then tap the gavel three times. After the third tap you will state
“To practice brotherhood, honor agricultural opportunities and responsibilities and develop those qualities of leadership which an FFA member should posses
You MUST memorize this and be able to recite it during our FFA meetings

34. FFA Code of Ethics
FFA members conduct themselves at all times to be a credit to their organization, chapter, school, community and family. As an FFA member, I pledge to:
- Develop my potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success.
- Make a positive difference in the lives of others

35. FFA Code of Ethics - Dress neatly and appropriately for the occasion
- Showing respect for the rights of others and their property
- Be courteous, honest and fair with others
- Communicate in an appropriate, purposeful and positive manner

36. FFA Code of Ethics
- Demonstrate good sportsmanship by being modest in winning and generous in defeat - Make myself aware of FFA programs and activities and be an active participant - Conduct and value a supervised agricultural experience program

37. FFA Code of Ethics
- Strive to establish and enhance my skills through agricultural education in order to enter a successful career
- Appreciate and promote diversity in our organization