Celebrating National FFA Week

February 21, 2019

From Jeff Case

State Director

USDA Rural Development

In 1928, the Future Farmers of America (now known as the National FFA Organization) was established right here in Missouri—Kansas City, Missouri to be exact—to prepare future generations for the challenges of feeding a growing population. That first year, representatives from 18 states attended the first FFA National Convention.

Today, over nine decades later, 669,989 students in 8,630 chapters throughout all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are involved in FFA. This mission of the organization has expanded over the years to more than production farming and now reads “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.” This year also celebrates the 50th anniversary of women gaining full membership with FFA.

Through FFA opportunities and service to others, members gain the skills necessary to become successful, contributing members of society in agriculture and other industries such as education, healthcare, finance, business, and more.

This week, FFA is celebrating National FFA Week. This year’s theme, Just One, signifies the impact that just one idea, just one deed, just one person, just one chapter, and ultimately just one organization can have on the lives of students throughout Missouri and the rest of the country.

I encourage each of you to reach out to your local school’s FFA chapter and identify ways that you can partner with the chapter to further the reach of the FFA organization. Do you have time to volunteer with the local chapter? Can your business become a host for students to job shadow employees? What do you have to offer that can make a positive impact in the lives of your community’s students?

The FFA Motto; “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, and Living to Serve” are words anyone can live by.

All the best to past, current, and future FFA members and those who support them.