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" ORGANIZATION
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"~, Founded in 1928, the Fu- doors and its arms to minori-
%, ture Farmers of America (FFA) ties and women, ensuring that
Di
:~ brought together students, all students could reap the
"5 teachers and agribusiness to benefits of agricultural educa-
solidify support for agricul-tion.
"~' tural education. In Kansas Today, the National FFA
'i~i City's Baltimore Hotel, 33 Organization remains com-
~i young farmboys charted a mitted to the individual stu-
course for the future. They dent, providing a path to
could not have foreseen how achievement in premier lead-
the organization would grow ership, personal growth and
" and thrive career success through agri-
.; Since 1928, millions of ag- cultural education. Now, the
. riculture students--no one organization is expanding the
:~ knows exactly how many-- nation's view of,"traditional"
bP
.~ have donned the official FFA agriculture and finding new
jacket and championed the ways to infuse agriculture into
FFA creed. FFA has opened its the classroom.
Official Organizati
The National FFA Organiza-
tion was organized as the "Fu-
ture Farmers of America" in
1928 in Kansas City, MO. In
1988, the official organization
name was changed to The Na-
tional FFA Organization to re-
flect the broadening field of ag-
riculture, which today encom-
, passes more than 300 careers
in everything from agriscience
to biotechnology to turf grass
management.
Federally Chartered
In 1950, Congress granted
FFA a federal charter, making
it an integral, intracurricular
part of public agricultural in-
struction under the National
Vocational Education Acts. Two
tendees each fall. The iNational
FFA Alumni Associatiom's more
than 4O,OQ0 members mssist in
the continued growth and de-
velopment of active FIFA pro-
grams.
Applied Learning
The agricultural education
programlProvides a well,
rounded,practical appi:oach to
learning tl~rough three compo-
nents: |
Classyoom educa,tion in
agricultural topics smch as
plant animal scliences,
horticulture, forestry, a grimar-
keting, etc.;
handslon supervismd agri-
cultural areer expmrience
such as starting a busiiness or
of the FFA top three executives working for an established
,' are employed by the U.S. De-company;
partment of Education. FFA, which providees lead-
" FFA Structure ership opl ortunities amd tests
"" FFA operates on local, statestudents 9gricultural ,skills.
orga
- nlzl and national levels. StudentPrograms and Activitiies
"- members belong to chapters The FFA programs and ac-
organized at the local schooltivities help members develop
level. Agricultural educationpublic spe~king skills, monduct
an,instructors serve as chapter and participate in m etlngs,
~ Farm Credit of the Virginias personal growth and career advisors. Chapters are orga- manage ~inancial mtatters,
supports avariety of youth pro- success through agricultural nized Under state associations strengthep problem- solving
~ grams with agricultural ties, education, headed by an advisor and ex- abilities and assume c;ivic re-
:: like Future Farmers of America About4-H(www.4husa.or : ecutive secretary, often em- sponsibflity. Degrees eawned at
:: (FFA) and 4-H. This week they Administered by the United
announced that, along with the States Department of Agricul-
22 other agricultural credit as- ture, this youth development
: sociations (ACAs) in the 15 program teaches millions of
:: eastern states which comprise youth citizenship, leadership
theAgFirst Farm Credit district, and life skills to meet commu-
o they have donated more than nity.needs, skills that will serve
$425,000 to 4-H and FFA dur- them for a lifetime, The Na-
ing 2007. tional 4-H Council provides
From college scholarshipsgrants, establishes programs/
. and livestock purchases, to initiatives, designs and pub-
" camp sponsorships and dona- lishes curriculum and refer-
tions for building construction, ence materials, and creates
"* the ACAs have an ongoing com- linkages fostering innovation
~. mitment to the education and and shared learning to ad-
; youth leadership programs pro- vance the 4-H youth develop-
<;reded by 4-H and FFA. ment movement, building a
"We are proud to be part of world in which youth and
~: the future of agriculture in the adults learn, grow, and work
United States, and we wili con- together as catalysts for posi-
tinue to contribute to the ef- tire change.
forts of these youth organiza- The Farm Credit System is
tions whose prosperity directly a national network of lending
affects our rural communities," institutions that collectively
said CEO Dave Lawrence. provide a wide range of finan-
About Future Farmers of cial and lending services to
America (FFA) (www.ffa.org): rural America. Farm Credit in-
,- FFA is a national youth or- stitutions are cooperatives,
:~* ganization of 476,732 student capitalized largely through in-
members preparing for leader- vestments made by farmers,
" ship and careers in the science, ranchers and the rural busi-
*~ business and technology of ag- nesses that borrow from them.
riculturewi~h 7,223 local chap- Farm Credit helps maintain
%
ters in all 50 states, Puerto and improve the quality of life
Rico and the Virgin Islands. in rural America and on the
"- FFA strives to make a positive farm through its constant corn-
difference in the lives of stu- mitment to competitive lending
dents by developing their po- and expert financial services.
tential for premier leadership,
BLUE JAJCK ETS
Futures
We Future Farmers Of America/
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301 W. Washington Street - kewisburg, VVV 24901
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ployees of the state department
of education, States conduct
programs and host annual
conventions.
The National FFA Organiza-
tion, governed by a Board of Di-
rectors and a Board of Student
Officers, charters state asso-
ciations; provides direction,
programmatic materials and
support; and hosts the Na-
tional FFA Convention, which
draws more than 51,000 at-
local, stat and national levels
recognize embers' inc:reasing
accomplisl ments. Coi petitive
events and awards proglrams in
areas such as public speaking,
commodity marketirag and
agriscience recognize students'
achievements, encourage them
to excel bqyond the classroom
and develop career skllhs. Com-
munity seWice prograrms help
students contribute to society.
Agricultural Education
prepares students for suc-
cessful careers and a life-
time of informed choices in
the global agriculture, food,
fiber and natural resources
systems.
0
We Support the Future Farmers Of Ameri~ca!
DANIELS
304-763
Haven N. Wall Jr
CARDIOLOGY & INTERNAL EDICINE
645-6083
Greyrock Professional P~rk
200 Maplewood Avenue
Ronceverte,
647-5115 or 17-5161
THE FFA MISSION:
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 VISION:
The National FFA Organization envisions a future in which:
All agricultural education students will discover their passion in
life, and build on that insight to chart the .course for their
educational, career and personal future.
The National FFA. Organization collaborates with teachers, state
leaders and others to deliver an integrated program of agricultural
education that:
increases understanding of, and respect for, agriculture
encourages students to explore opportunities
supports their discovery of natural talents and interests
offers meaningful activities in which they can apply their skills
and talents
Therefore, the National FFA Organization will:"
Make local agricultural education teacher success its primary
focus, through model programs and activities that generate local
program success.
Reaffirm its commitment to the integrated agricultural educati()n
delivery model as a synergistic way of delivering academic, technical,
professional and youth development content. Within this model,
further improve for local students the role of experiential learnirig,
the depth of personal' engagement and the breadth of participation
opportunities.
Promote the widespread use of community based planning and
support to develop environments that make the integrated
agricultural education model successful.
Develop stronger programs and support for state leaders of
agricultural education.
Offer programs and activities that are attractive to all students;of
all ages (middle school through college), diverse backgrounds and
broad career interests in the agriculture, food, fiber and natural
resources industry.
FFA BELIEFS
We believe that Students need an environment and
experiences that promote their personal growth
The discovery of personal talents, skills and interests leads to
personal growth.
Academic, technical, career and life skills and values can be
learned.
All students need to be accepted, experience success and be
confident in themselves.
Teachers educate and provide personal growth opportunities for
individual students.
Classroom, experiential and group activities are complementary
learning methods.
Within a supportive community, all students can
Recognize the benefits of their various communities and actively
serve to them.
One Mlile South of 1-64 (800) 253-0228 (304) 645-2424
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newberryfordinc.com
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105 Railroad Avenue -Alderson
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445-2956
-, .'-~ 7:"
We support the
" I
Future Fnrmers of Arner ca.
Alta, XVest Virginia
304 392-5872
F q
