Exploring the History and Organization of FFA Ms. Dixon

Student Learning Objectives Explain how, when, and why the FFA was organized. Explain the mission and strategies, colors, motto, parts of the emblem, and the organizational structure of the FFA. Recite and explain the meaning of the FFA Creed.

FFA Mission What is FFA all about? 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 Purpose aka “Mission Statement” The actual mission statement reads as follows: “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 Agricultural Education Program 3 Parts: –Classroom/Laboratory Hands-on learning – school does apply to the real world! –FFA Student organization; to use what’s learned in class –SAE Ag-related work or learning experience outside of class Classroom / Laboratory FFASAE AgEd

The Agricultural Education Program FFA is one piece of the complete program! Classroom / Laboratory AgEd FFASAE

What is Beyond the Mission? To…. –Lead –Travel –Earn Money –Be Part of the Team/Family –Serve the Community –Succeed –Have Fun!

The Basics – 3 Significant Levels Local State National Sometimes districts, regions and areas

Local Chapter Chapter Members Chapter Officers Chapter Advisor Chapter Advisory Committee School Administration and Board of Education State Association Chapter Delegates State Officers State Advisor and State Leaders State Department of Education National FFA Organization State Delegates National Officers National Advisory Leaders National Board of Directors U.S. Department of Education You! An FFA Member! National FFA Organization Structure Possible district, area, region or federation FFA associations Local FFA Alumni Affiliate State FFA Alumni Association State FFA Foundation National FFA Alumni Association National FFA Foundation

The Basics Levels of FFA Membership – Like moving from pre-school to elementary to middle school to high school – 4 levels for membership Enter a new level as we get older and more experienced

The Basics Levels of FFA Membership 1.Active Middle and High School Enrolled in an Ag Ed Class Paid FFA dues 2.Collegiate Post-high school Pursuing an ag-related career or interest in the future of the agricultural industry Paid FFA dues

Levels of FFA Membership 3.Alumni Past FFA members and supporters of FFA Paid FFA alumni dues 40,000 members across the United States 4. Honorary FFA supporter who’s gone above and beyond the necessary Nominated to receive the membership – no dues

The Basics FFA Motto –12 words for FFA members to live by: Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve –What does it mean?

The Basics FFA Colors –Adopted in 1929 National Blue: –Nation’s Flag Corn Gold –Fields of Ripened Corn –Grown in Every State

The Basics The FFA Salute –You’ve done this one a time or two! –“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.

The Basics The Code of Ethics –Read on page 27 –As you read, ask yourself “What does this mean to the FFA organization?” “What does this mean for me as a member?”

FFA Official Dress

Official Dress Girls –black skirt or slacks –white blouse –official blue scarf –black shoes –official jacket zipped to the top

Official Dress Boys –black slacks –white shirt –official FFA tie –black shoes –black socks –official jacket zipped to the top

FFA Degrees Recognize active members for participation and skill acquisition –Discovery –Greenhand –Chapter –State –American

Greenhand FFA Degree For first year members Knowledge of FFA History Can recite the Creed, Motto and Salute Must be enrolled in Agriculture Education course Have satisfactory SAE plans

Chapter FFA Degree Completed 2 semesters of agriculture Have SAE program in operation Earn and productively invest $150 or work at least 45 hours at SAE

State FFA Degree Active FFA member 2 years 2 years of agriculture Earn and productively invest $1000 or work 300 hours in an SAE Program

American FFA Degree Highest degree Active member for 3 years 3 years of Agriscience Classes Graduate from high school at least 12 months prior to receiving degree Outstanding SAE Program

American FFA Degree Earn and productively invest $7,500 or earn and invest $1,500 and work at least 2,250 unpaid hours Have a record of outstanding leadership abilities

Major Historical Events in the FFA 1917 Smith-Hughes National Vocational Education Act established agriculture courses Future Farmers of America was founded.

Historical Events 1930 Official FFA Creed adopted. Written by E. M. Tiffany 1933 Blue corduroy jacket adopted as official dress Public Law 740 was passed by Congress granting the FFA a federal charter.

Major Historical Events in the FFA 1952 FFA Code of Ethics adopted Consolidation with the New Farmers of America (NFA) strengthened the FFA. (NFA was an organization similar to the FFA for African American students.)

Major Historical Events in the FFA 1969 Female students were allowed to become members Name of the organization was changed to National FFA Organization.

The National FFA Convention st National FFA Convention was held in Kansas City, MO The National FFA Convention was moved to Louisville, KY The National FFA Convention moves to Indianapolis, IN [which is also the location of the National FFA Center]

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.

Symbols of the FFA Emblem The FFA emblem was designed with much thought and meaning. It is made up of 6 components.

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.

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

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

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

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.

The FFA Creed written by E.M. Tiffany in 1930 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.

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

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.

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.

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 paying square with those whose happiness depends upon me.

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.

The FFA Purpose The purpose of the FFA is to develop: –Leadership –Scholarship –Improved Agriculture –Cooperation –Citizenship –Recreation –Patriotism –Service –Character –Thrift

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