Warmup Please print your name on the seating

Warm-up: Please print your name on the seating chart that is taped on the white board of where you would like to sit. This is not assigned seats! Just gives me an idea of who is where.

WHAT IS FFA? A BRIEF OVERVIEW By: Mrs. Sheffield

What does F-F-A Stand For? F-F-A stands for Future Farmers of America, but does not go by that anymore. Now it goes by “FFA” because Future Farmers of America implies you are preparing to be farmers. Agriculture is much broader than farming and ranching! � Horticulture, Aquaculture, Food sciences, Accounting, Wildlife management, Mechanics & Engineering

Are there any jobs in agriculture? At least 22 million people in the U. S. work in one of over 300 careers that exist in the field of agriculture. An estimated 1 in 5 people in the U. S. work in agriculture-related jobs.

Do I have to show a cow or pig? No. Every member must have a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program. This could be raising an animal, but also: �Placement in an agricultural job, �Conducting an experiment related to agriscience, �And many more!

How can I join FFA? Be enrolled in an Ag class. Fill out a membership form. Pay your FFA dues ($30). Yes…It’s that easy!

What is FFA? Largest youth-led organization in the nation � 540, 379 members in the 50 states, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico Structured like a government �National – National FFA Organization State – Texas FFA Association Area – Area Associations District – Names or numbers given § Local – Usually a high school’s

What is FFA? 1 st per. 8/26 An intra-curricular organization � Happens both in and out of school

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

Membership 43% of FFA members are female � Women hold approximately 50% of state leadership positions 76% are Caucasian; 16% are Hispanic; 4% are African-American; 2% are Native American FFA chapters are in 18 of the 20 largest U. S. cities, including New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia Top 5 membership states are Texas, California, Georgia, Missouri, and Oklahoma

Kinds of Membership 2 nd per. 8/26 Active – You! Students in middle or high school Honorary – administrators, community leaders, etc. Collegiate – at the college level Alumni – members who have graduated from high school and are adults, yet are still a part of FFA

Jr. FFA Open to younger relatives of active Tompkins High School FFA members. They cannot show in the Katy ISD show, but they do have show opportunities: �County shows �Major shows �Jackpot shows

Wednesday, August 27 th: Please get out your “What is FFA? ” notes packet. Remember to turn in your Autobiography if you have it!

Degrees of Membership 6 th per. 8/26 Discovery – 7 th or 8 th grade (not available in KISD) Greenhand – bronze pin Chapter – silver pin State – gold charm hung from a gold chain � Called the Lone Star degree in Texas American – gold charm

Career Exploration Classroom activities include math and science as well as hands-on work experience and the development of life skills, helping members discover their career path and realize success Collectively, FFA members earn more than $4 billion annually through their hands-on work experience

Industry Support Agriculture is the nation’s largest employer � More than 23 million jobs (17% of the civilian workforce) are involved in some way with agriculture To date, more than $34 million in FFA scholarships have been awarded to students pursuing higher education � There are many ways to earn scholarships � And…this does not include any money made from buying, raising, and showing a project at a county show or major livestock show!

Former FFA Members: 3 rd per. 8/26 Jim Davis – creator of Garfield comic strip Chris Johns – Editor in chief, National Geographic magazine Nicholas Kristof – columnist for the New York Times, Pulitzer Price winner Fred Mc. Clure – former aide to President Ronald Reagan and President George H. W. Bush James Oesterreicher – former CEO of J. C. Penney

Former FFA Members: Harry Birdwell – former athletic director, OSU Trace Adkins – country music entertainer Lucas Black – actor (“Sling Blade, ” “Cold Mountain, ” “Friday Night Lights”) Zac Brown – country music entertainer Chris Colfer – actor (Kurt Hummel on “Glee”) Matthew Fox – actor (Jack on “Lost” and

Former FFA Members: Richard “Tuff” Hedeman – President of Championship Bull Riding (CBR); professional bull rider Don Henley – rock music entertainer / recording artist; member of the Eagles Jared Hess – writer/director of the film “Napoleon Dynamite” Elizabeth Kinney – Miss Oklahoma 2004 Lyle Lovett – country music entertainer

Former FFA Members: Tim Mc. Graw – country music entertainer Willie Nelson – country music entertainer Jim Ross – WWE Hall of Fame commentator Taylor Swift – country music entertainer Dan Bartlett – former counselor to President George W. Bush Jimmy Carter – former U. S. president; Nobel prize winner

Former FFA Members: Bill Irwin – first blind man to hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail alone Bo Jackson – Heisman Trophy winner at Auburn; former professional football player and professional baseball player Sterling Marlin – NASCAR driver; two-time winner of the Daytona 500 Brad Meester – center, Jacksonville Jaguars Jordy Nelson – wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers

Former FFA Members: Herbert Perry – former professional baseball player (Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers) Maurkice Pouncey – all-pro center for the Pittsburgh Steelers Mark Taushcer – tackle, Green Bay Packers Dewayne White – former defensive end,

Official Dress: Guys Black slacks or jeans Black belt Black socks Solid black boots or black shoes White, collared, button-up shirt FFA tie

Official Dress: Gals Black skirt � Jeans may be worn outside if the activity is more suitable for pants White, collared, button -up blouse Black hosiery Solid black closed-toe, closed-heel shoes FFA scarf FFA jacket

The FFA Jacket You have the unique privilege of earning your jacket! �One requirement is to participate in 2 different activities above the chapter level �December 19, 2014 deadline 2 nd per. 8/27

Tompkins FFA Area: III (Three) District: 7

How Tompkins is Living Up to the FFA Motto: Learning to Do Doing to Learn Earning to Live Living to Serve

Learning to Do 1 st per. 8/27 We offer many Ag classes, not just the ones we are currently teaching These include: � Livestock Production � Equine Science � Wildlife, Fisheries, and Ecology Management � Advanced Animal Science (counts for Science credit) � Floral Design (counts for Fine Art credit) � Landscape Design

Thursday, August 28 th Please get out your FFA Notes packet. Please pick up from the counter a: �Class binder set-up form �List of Assignments form Make sure you’ve turned in your Autobiography! See me if you have not received an Autobiography Assignment

Learning to Do 6 th per. 8/27 Ag classes continued: � Horticulture Science � Veterinary Medical Applications � Small Animal Management � Ag Mechanics & Metal Fabrication � Welding � Construction � Agribusiness � And many more!

Doing to Learn Many members are gaining hands on experience through: � Leadership Development Events (LDEs), � Career Development Events (CDEs), � and internships!

Earning to Live What you learn in your Ag class and through FFA can help you make a living! Several FFA members are currently making money through their SAEP project

Living to Serve Tompkins FFA has been strongly serving the community, even filling in as a mascot! Have a say in what community service activities we do!

Sounds Great, But What Can I Do? Plenty! Here’s just a few of the things available to you… 3 rd per. 8/27

Leadership Development Events (LDEs) Ag Advocacy Ag Issues Forum Public Relations Jr. & Sr. Creed Job Interview Jr. & Sr. Quiz Team Jr. & Sr. Chapter Conducting FFA Radio Skills Demonstration

Career Development Events (CDEs) Livestock Judging Horse Judging Milk Evaluation Land Judging Wildlife, Recreation Management Veterinary Science Nursery/Landscape Floriculture Ag Mechanics Poultry Judging And more!!

Show a Project at the Katy ISD Show Cattle Swine (pigs) Goat Lamb Poultry Rabbits Ag Mechanics

Show a Project at a County and/or Major Show Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Ft. Worth Stock Show and Rodeo San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Your county of residence Jackpot shows Others!

District/Area Leadership Events Spend a few hours getting to know other FFA members from your district/area! Many friends can be made at these types of activities, which will help as you climb the ladder of success in your FFA career � You day! may want to run for an officer position one

District & Area Greenhand Camp Meet with other Greenhand FFA members from your District and Area! Learn more about what FFA is about Work on leadership skills – which will help you to become more outgoing and be will encourage you to be more involved 5 th per. 8/28

Join a Committee 2 nd per. 8/28 Help plan all of the exciting activities that Tompkins FFA participates in We have several committees that help run our chapter You can hold a leadership position in these committees without being an officer!

FFA Rodeo Compete with other rodeo participants from across the state!

Agri. Science Fair 1 st per. 8/28 Conduct a science experiment that tracks the progress of a hypothesis that you form You make a presentation over your experiment, then present it to a panel of judges

Speaking Events Don’t like to talk in front of people? Face America’s #1 fear: Public Speaking Extemporaneous Senior Prepared Junior Prepared Soil Stewardship Spanish Creed

6 th per. 8/28 Talent Contest Do you have a unique talent? We want to see it! You can perform at the district level, then if you are voted to area you have the opportunity to be voted to the state contest – which is held in July and will be in Corpus Christi next year � If you make state you perform in front of over 10, 000 people!

Texas FFA Chorus Attend State Convention and sing with others who share your passion for choir in front of over 10, 000 people!

Hall of States Make a booth that shows off what Texas FFA is all about If your booth is selected, you will have the honor of representing Texas at the National FFA Convention, which is held in October 3 rd per. 8/28

HLSR Program Sales Help your chapter earn money Travel to Houston and sell programs outside of Reliant Stadium

Fruit & Meat Fundraiser Do you want a successful FFA chapter that is able to travel all around the state of Texas, taking as many students as possible to different places? � Then raise funds! Top seller gets a belt buckle!!

District & Area Convention Be a part of what goes on in your district and area Run as a talent team competitor Have your record book reviewed for scholarships, awards, and degree checks

State Convention Week-long convention with FFA members from across the state Over 10, 000 members and guests usually attend! Be a part of what the Texas FFA Association is all about Hear inspirational and motivational speakers

National Convention A bigger version of the state convention Experience a sea of blue jackets from all over the United States! Get the true effect of being a part of the largest youth-led organization in the nation

Earn Your Letter Jacket in Ag! It is possible to get your letter jacket through FFA! It is best to start early and be as involved as possible Few have received this prestigious award through FFA, will you be one of the next ones to get it? I hope so!

Be Recognized Be a part of the exciting new time in the history of Tompkins FFA Join so many others who are choosing to say “yes” to what FFA has to offer � In return, they will receive many opportunities! The Katy community sees what FFA members do. We have and will be in the paper and other media outlets in the next few months!

Earn Money Through Scholarships Complete your record books in class Every year you may be eligible to apply for various scholarships, worth different amounts of money Some CDE and speaking competitions award scholarships

Calf Scramble 5 th per. 8/28 Majors: Ft. Worth, San Antonio, Houston Catch a calf and receive a certificate that’s good for a certain amount of money Use that money to purchase an animal and raise it for the next school year Bring that animal back to the show you caught at and show it

Run For Officer Make a difference! Guide your chapter into the future! Run for district officer and represent Tompkins! Run for area officer! Run for state officer!

Any Questions? Ask an Ag teacher Often it means simply coming to meetings that are posted on the calendars in each teacher’s class Don’t be shy! FFA helps you to become more outgoing. This will help you for the rest of your time in high school and especially in life. You just have to be willing to be yourself no matter what others think!