By: Gracee Ableman
What is FFA?
FFA stands for “Future Farmers of America” which is a student organization for students that are interested in leadership and agriculture. FFA helps students prepare for their future by doing things for agriculture in science careers, business and leadership
Kimball Gibson, the FFA vice president, said, “To me FFA is a way for people to get involved in agriculture.”
What do they do in FFA?
Students have to take an agriculture class to be enrolled in FFA. Every student enrolled in an agriculture class is considered a part of FFA. Some of the things they do is an SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience), a project every quarter that is related to agriculture. That allows students to track their hours and how they spend their time. FFA students have to log at least 10 hours a quarter of agricultural engagement.
The Agri-Science Fair
Another big part of FFA is the Agriscience fair. Students do a project that is related to agriculture that they can test and come up with a conclusion.They have to make a poster after testing their project and present it to a judge(s). They will compete against the rest of the other chapter members, and depending on how they place, they can go to state, and even higher: nationals.
FFA Socials
FFA also has super fun activities that happen like FFA socials. They do things like, for Christmas, a secret santa. In the fall they go to the local corn maze, and they do other things like dummy roping and BBQs or dances. These are some of the fun activities FFA does often.
Hudson Wade the Fremont FFA treasurer says, “One of the biggest things to mention, I think, is our socials. We do one every month. There’s always free stuff. Last time we did some burgers, we’ve had dances, all sorts of fun socials. They’re free to come to, and really, can take up your time, and there’s always free food. We’ve never not had food.”
What else do students need to know?
FFA also has teams that you can join. They are called LDE (Leadership Development Events) where students can participate in public speaking competitions. There are also CDE (Career Development Events), which are different events/teams that students compete in, like livestock judging, floral team, veterinary team, and there are so many more opportunities with CDE events and LDE events.
Kimball Gibson said. “The CDEs are career development events. So like anything that you could go into a career for, we usually have a competition for that. And then LDS are like prepared public speaking.”
Why should students join FFA?
FFA is a great way to help students learn how to pursue your career in agriculture, and branch out and learn new things. You also can learn a lot of leadership skills in FFA and that is a very important skill to have. And overall, FFA teaches students and members many skills that they can use their whole life. They also meet a lot of new people in FFA and have amazing opportunities for your future.
Haven Hogge the Fremont FFA historian says, “ It’s all about careers, right? And how you learn how you’re going to provide and contribute to our economy. But like, with our ag, business thing, I’ve learned so much about business and, like, how a farm runs, right? Everyone thinks it’s out in the tractor, but there’s a lot of financials and a lot of background, and it’s good for learning how careers work.”
Hudson Wade Fremont FFA’s treasurer says, “ I think the reason somebody at Fremont should join it is, because you join it by taking an ag class. And all of our ag classes here are phenomenal. They’re great. They’re fun, better than your average class, in my opinion.” ”
Hudson Wade also says, “Has definitely taught me a lot like AG business, finances, accounting, taxes, and also, the biggest thing it’s taught me is I’ve gotten a lot better at talking to people I don’t know and being able to hold conversations.
FFA is a great organization that is very fun and does fun activities. It also teaches you a lot that will help you now and even in the future. It is a great thing to get into especially if you are interested in agriculture. Get in an agriculture class to join FFA, make fun new memories you will never forget, and learn so much that will stick with you forever!
