FFA Future Farmers of America Marie O Bolt

FFA: Future Farmers of America Marie O. Bolt

What is the FFA o The National FFA is an organization for students studying agricultural education in high school o Active in all 50 states and Puerto Rico

What is the FFA o Over 500, 000 students n Making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education

FFA Mission o Premier leadership o Personal growth o Career success

Premier Leadership o “Leadership is influence – the ability to obtain followers” n John Maxwell o Are you a leader or a follower?

Premier Leadership o Actions speak louder than words n Everyone can lead n Positive influence on others p Family, school, community

Premier Leadership o FFA provides numerous opportunities for you to learn to lead, handle leadership, increase critical thinking, decision making skills, and improve your life. o Rosa Parks, Florence Nightingale, Donald Trump, Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Premier Leadership o Action – achieve your desired results o Relationship – building personal connections through listening, coaching, understanding and appreciating others o Vision – set a clear image of what your future should be

Premier Leadership o Character – Possess a collection of virtues by which to live your life o Awareness – Understand your community and world o Continuous Improvement – Demonstrate the pursuit of learning and growth

Personal Growth o “The positive evolution of the whole person” o You must analyze yourself and realize your goals and growth needs/potential

Personal Growth o Strengths n We all have them n Developed Enhanced Improvement n n

Personal Growth o How will you learn to grow through the FFA n n n Social Growth Professional Growth Mental Growth Emotional Growth Spiritual Growth

Personal Growth o Alex Gleason n “Pedals” Good Food

Personal Growth o How do you want to grow? o How do you plan on achieving that growth?

Career Success o “Continuously demonstrating those qualities, attributes and skills necessary to succeed in, or further prepare for, a chosen profession while effectively contributing to society”

Career Success o Communication – Speak and write effectively so that others understand your intentions o Decision Making – Analyze situations so that you can choose appropriate actions

Career Success o Flexibility / Adaptability – Open your mind to change o Technical / Functional Skills in Agriculture – Learn the skills you need for career success in the agricultural (or related) industry

Go Beyond the Mission o Tons of ways to improve and become a better person, improve your abilities, travel the world, make money and succeed early in life

Go Beyond the Mission o Lead o Travel o Earn Money o Team o Serve o Succeed o FUN

FFA History o 1917 The passing of the Smith-Huges National Vocational Education Act (both congressmen from GA) established agricultural education courses o 1925 Virginia Tech Agricultural Education Teachers (4 teachers) organize the Future Farmers of Virginia for boys

FFA History o 1926 First National Congress of Vocational Agriculture Students meet in Kansas City, Missouri at the American Royal Livestock and Horse Show to compete in a National Livestock Judging Contest

FFA History o 1928 Formation of The Future Farmers of America n n Kansas City, MO First National President p Leslie Applegate from NJ o First National Convention n 33 delegates from 18 states

FFA History o 1928 First sectional gathering of New Farmers of America members o 1929 National Blue and Corn Gold adopted as official colors.

FFA History o 1930 The FFA Creed was written by E. M. Tiffany o The first FFA manual was printed o 1933 Members voted on the official dress of the blue corduroy jacket

FFA History o 1934 At the time of the National Convention only 2 states didn’t have chartered associations : Rhode Island Alaska o 1935 Establishment of the New Farmers of America (NFA)

FFA History

FFA History o 1944 The establishment of the National FFA Foundation n Why was the foundation created?

FFA History o 1947 The National FFA Band was formed n n Mail Order Band 120 members o 1948 The National FFA Chorus was formed

FFA History

FFA History o 1950 Public Law 740 passed granting FFA a federal chapter o 1952 The National Future Farmers of America magazine was created n Now FFA New Horizons

FFA History o 1953 The United States Post Office Department issued a special stamp to commemorate the 25 th anniversary of the FFA n Released the first stamp at the 25 th National FFA Convention in Kansas City

FFA History

FFA History o 1953 President Dwight D. Eisenhower speaks at the National FFA Convention o 1957 Former President Harry S. Truman Speaks during National FFA Convention