Introduction to the FFA By David Agnew Arkansas State University

What would you say? Suppose you are approached by a local radio or TV personality at the county fair and that person sticks a microphone in your face and they says “so what is this organization you are with called the FFA?” Would you know what to say? Do you know how to say it in a clear concise statement? Would your students know how to respond?

Just The Facts The FFA is a national organization for students aged 12-21, who are enrolled in secondary agriculture education programs. With over 450,000 students in public schools across the nation, it is the largest student organization in the U.S. There are over 7,300 chapters in all 50 states, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FFA promotes scholarship, develops leadership, and helps students develop career and life skills

Background Facts National Headquarters are in Indianapolis Indiana. The national advisor is Larry Case. Members pay dues National convention each year (currently Louisville KY) Local chapters have advisors who are teachers The organization was founded in 1928.

Objectives 1.State the mission and purposes of the FFA organization and Agricultural Education. 2.Describe how the FFA is an integral part of a secondary Agricultural Education. 3.Identify the key historical events associated with the FFA. 4.Describe the organization and operation of the National FFA Organization. 5 Describe the organization and operation of the FFA in Arkansas.

Objective 1 State the mission and purposes of the FFA organization and Agricultural Education.

The Mission of the National FFA Organization FFA Mission –The National FFA Organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of young people by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education Source: National FFA website

The Mission of Agricultural Education Agricultural Education prepares students for successful careers and a lifetime of informed choices in the global agriculture, food, fiber and natural resources systems. Source: National FFA website

The Missions FFA The National FFA Organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of young people by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education Agricultural Education Agricultural Education prepares students for successful careers and a lifetime of informed choices in the global agriculture, food, fiber and natural resources systems.

Purposes of the FFA Develop members’ leadership abilities Develop members’ ability to work with others Prepare members’ for professional and technical leadership roles Develop communication skills Help develop civic responsibility (Citizenship) Develop an understanding of group processes Develop ability in leading group activities Promote scholarship, excellence in learning. Source: The FFA Manual

The FFA Motto A Statement of Purpose The FFA motto gives members twelve 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

Objective 2 Describe how the FFA is an integral part of the secondary Agricultural Education curriculum.

Definitions Integral -- Essential or necessary for completeness. Intracurricular -- A part of the regular curriculum of a school or college program. Extracurricular -- Being outside the regular curriculum of a school or college program.

The FFA is both Integral and Intracurricular The FFA was an outgrowth of the Secondary Agriculture curriculum/program. The FFA promotes and rewards the learning of the curriculum content. The FFA brings leadership into the mainstream of the curriculum. The FFA encourages application of content through career development events and supervised agricultural experience programs.

Official Intracurricular Public Law 740 In 1950, the 81 st Congress recognizing the importance of the FFA granted the FFA a federal charter, making it an integral, intracurricular part of public agricultural instruction under the National Vocational Education Acts. Two of the FFA top three executives are employed by the U.S. Department of Education. Official recognition of FFA as being intercurriculum gave greater opportunity for FFA advisors and members to include or participate in leadership activities, contests, and off campus events without conflict of purpose with the rest of the educational community.

Public Law In 1998, the 105th Congress of the United States reviewed and passed technical amendments. This shows through the revisions as Public Law

Objective 3 Identify the key historical events associated with the FFA.

The Beginning of the Future Farmers of America The National Organization was established in 1928 at the Hotel Baltimore in Kansas City, Missouri. The first national convention had 33 delegates from 7 states. Annual dues were set at 10 cents per member.

More FFA History… The official colors—national blue and corn gold—are adopted. They are still used today At the 3rd National FFA Convention, the membership issue is clarified when the all-member, male delegation amend the constitution restricting membership to boys only under Article III, Section B. The official creed is adopted Fredericktown, Ohio, FFA members arrive at the national convention in crisp, blue corduroy jackets with the FFA emblem on the back. Official delegates vote to adopt the jacket as the organization’s official dress. Members still wear the nationally-recognized jackets today, honoring the tradition and history of FFA. More than 50,000 are manufactured each year.

More FFA History… New Farmers of America (NFA), an organization for African-American boys interested in agriculture, is formed and eventually includes 13 states. It is patterned after the New Farmers of Virginia formed in The National FFA Foundation, Inc., was established in Washington, D.C., to raise money for FFA programs and activities from business, industry, government, individuals and foundation sponsors. Today, the Foundation is located in Indianapolis, In., and raises more than $7.3 million annually The U.S. Congress passes Public Law , which grants the FFA a Federal Charter and stipulates that a U.S. Department of Education staff member be the national FFA advisor FFA celebrates its silver anniversary. The U.S. Post Office issues a special stamp to commemorate the founding of the FFA.

More FFA History… The FFA headquarters is established in Alexandria, Va., on land which was part of George Washington’s estate.

More FFA History… The New Farmers of America (NFA), the organization for African- American agricultural education students, merges with the FFA, adding 50,000 members The FFA National Agricultural Career Show, a trade show especially for students, exposes national convention attendees to educational and career opportunities in agriculture Women are allowed national membership, which made it possible for them to hold office and participate in competitive events at the regional and national level.

More FFA History… The National FFA Alumni Association is founded, providing opportunities for former FFA members and other supporters to become involved with their local student chapters Delegates to the national FFA convention change “Future Farmers of America” to the “National FFA Organization” The national convention was held in Kansas City for the last time. And the National FFA Center was moved from Alexandria, Va., to Indianapolis, In The national FFA convention is held in Louisville, Ky., for the first time and will stay in Louisville through 2005.

More FFA History… FFA continues to expand opportunities for agricultural career preparation by introducing one new career development event and two demonstration events. The National FFA Archives, located at IUPUI in Indianapolis, officially opens.

Objective 4 Describe the organization and operation of the National FFA Organization

Who is the national FFA advisor? Larry Case

Organization and Operation of the FFA FFA 450,00 members in 7300 chapters (36% are female; 47% hold state leadership positions Members pay annual dues There is a national advisor (Larry Case from Missouri) There is a national constitution which provides structure in the operation of the organization. The National FFA Board directs operations of the organization. A team of student officers also play a role in management of the organization. Officers includes; President, Secretary, Treasurer, Reporter, and Sentinel, with a V. President from each of the four regions. States apply for charter to form a “state association”. States have their own constitution which does not conflict with the national.

Southern Puerto Rico Virgin Islands Western Guam Four FFA Regions Location of National FFA Headquarters

National FFA Headquarters Indianapolis Indiana 1998

Organization and Operation of the FFA … 2 Parliamentary Procedure as referenced by Roberts Rules or Order is the way that business is conducted. Members have an official manual to give them direction and guidance. Official Colors Official Jacket Official Emblem Official Creed for members National Convention (October) National FFA Week (February)

Quick Note on Membership 4 Types of Members –Active – Traditional H.S. Student enrolled in Ag. –Honorary –Alumni –Collegiate (ASU has a chapter )(ASU has a chapter ) 5 Degrees of Members –Greenhand –Chapter –State –American –(Discovery—for Jr. H.S.)

Objective 5 Describe the organization and operation of the FFA in Arkansas.

Arkansas FFA Arkansas was the second state association chartered in The first Star Farmer ever, Mr. Carlton Patton, was from Arkansas. Arkansas has over 11,000 members in 250 chapters.

State Advisor and State officers Marion Fletcher is the Program Manager State FFA Advisor for Arkansas. There are four vice presidents, one from each district. Then there is a president, secretary, treasure, reporter and sentinel. Each district has it’s own set of officers.

FFA Camp Couchdale State Department Office in LR 4-H Camp Ferndale NE District Leadership and Skills CDE ASU- Jonesboro ASU Beebe Northeast District Southeast District Arkansas is Divided Into Four Districts Northwest District Southwest District

FFA Camp and Convention Annual Convention is every June at Camp Couchdale, near Hot Springs.

The End