FFA WEEK 2021 Sunday, February 14, 2021 | globegazette.com | SECTION C
FFA FACTS:
Did you
know? SHUTTERSTOCK
The Iowa FFA Association presents ‘FFA 101’
FFA vision
ccording to the Iowa FFA Association website, FFA is a dynamic youth organization that changes lives and prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. FFA develops members’ potential and helps them discover their talent through hands-on experiences, which give members the tools to achieve real-world success, the website states. Members are future chemists, veterinarians, government officials, entrepreneurs, bankers, international business leaders, teachers and premier professionals in many career fields. FFA is an intra-curricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership. It is one of the three components of agricultural education. The official name of the organization is the National FFA Organization. The letters “FFA” stand for Future Farmers of America. These letters are a part of our history and our heritage that will never change.
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. 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. 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. Builds character and promotes citizenship, volunteerism and patriotism. Promotes cooperation and cooperative attitudes among all people. Promotes healthy lifestyles. Encourages excellence in scholarship.
FFA provides the next generation of leaders who will change the world.
A
Everybody’s FFA
FFA is not just for students who want to be production farmers; FFA also welcomes members who aspire to careers as teachers, doctors, scientists, business owners and more, according to the Iowa FFA Association website. For this reason, the name of the organization was updated in 1988 after a vote of national convention delegates to reflect the growing diversity and new opportunities in the industry of agriculture. FFA continues to help the next generation rise up to meet those challenges by helping its members to develop their own unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range of agricultural career pathways. So today, the organization still the Future Farmers of America. But, it is the Future Biologists, Future Chemists, Future
FFA mission
AGDAILY PHOTO
Veterinarians, Future Engineers and Future Entrepreneurs of America, too. Today, according to the Iowa FFA Association website, the National FFA Organization remains committed to the individual student, providing a path to achievement in premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. FFA members live the motto Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live and Living to Serve. FFA members rise to the challenge of service embracing members of all walks of life united through FFA. FFA is Structured on three levels, according to the Iowa FFA Association website:
Local FFA chapters
The heart of the National FFA Organization is at the local chapter level. FFA chapters may be chartered in any public school with an agricultural education program. Leadership is provided by student officers who are elected each year by the chapter’s members, and by the agriculture teacher who serves as the advisor for the chapter.
State FFA associations
FFA is an organization made up of state
associations; those state associations are made up of local chapters. State FFA associations function within the constitution of the National FFA organization, but may also create individual leadership structures, awards, programs and competitions. State FFA officers lead the membership of the st ate associations and are elected by state FFA convention delegates. Local FFA chapters are chartered through the state associations.
National FFA organization
At the national level, FFA is led by a board of directors and six student national officers. Together, they act on recommendations from the national convention delegates and agricultural education’s stakeholders to set the vision and policy for FFA. The founding principles, authority, objectives and procedures of the National FFA organization are established by the National FFA constitution and bylaws. The National FFA organization is a federally-chartered organization. Here is a look at the FFA’s time-honored tradition:
FFA motto
The FFA motto gives members 12 short words to live by as they experience the opportunities in the organization. Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.
FFA code of ethics
FFA members conduct themselves at all times to be a credit to their organization, chapter, school, community and family. FFA members pledge to: Develop my potential for premier Please see FACTS, Page C8
From leadership to serving others What FFA means to those participating
chapter president: “I am so grateful to have been a part of FFA in high school. I have made a lot of new friends and I We asked FFA members from feel so much more confident and different North Iowa chapters prepared for the future because of what FFA means to them, and here the organization.” are some of those answers:
Clear Lake chapter
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Riley Schuchard, senior and chapter secretary: “For me, FFA is more than just learning about agriculture, it’s learning leadership, confidence and making friendships that’ll last a lifetime.” Olivia Brcka, senior and
Charles City chapter
Drew Staudt, senior: “FFA to me is an organization that provides students with lifelong skills and abilities that they can use throughout their future. The organization has provided me with countless opportunities to expand my leadership skills and knowledge within the agriculture
industry.” Gillian Anderson, senior: “To me, FFA is one of the most impactful experiences I’ve had in high school. It has helped me find my interests, my future career, and my confidence. FFA has been the source of growth not only in career skills that will carry with me as I enter the workforce, but also in leadership abilities that I implement in my daily life.” Natalie White, senior: “To me, FFA is a way to get involved, serve others, and impact people in a positive way. It’s a community of people who are driven and always willing to serve
others. It allows me to take a look at the bigger picture in life and gives me the opportunity to be a leader and make an impact.”
Forest City chapter
Chiara Thompson, junior: “FFA to me means hard work and dedication. Every day, I work my hardest to make sure I’m bettering myself, my peers, and my community. This organization encourages all members to try something new and get out of their comfort zone. They’ll have many new experiences and gain leadership skills/life skills that’ll shape their decision-making and
values for the rest of their lives.” Allison Klein, sophomore: “What FFA means to me is all of the opportunities given to better myself as a person. Learning how to lead others and become a functioning and dependable citizen. Not only do I learn about accountability through agriculture-related tasks, but I have also met tons of good friends that will be lifelong. As I grow older, I may Please see MEANING, Page C8