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Across the Fence:  National FFA Week  |
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kydeere40744
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
Jessica
Kentucky
USA
1132 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 18 2008 : 4:48:41 PM
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This year, the Future Farmers of America are celebrating their 80th year!! Wow! That is a huge achievement to be as successful as it is even with the changing face of agriculture. Did you know that there are 7,358 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and there are 500,823 members?
From February 16 - 23rd, students from across the US will be celebrating National FFA Week. Be sure to thank these students for their hard work and dedication in promoting agriculture and leadership.
I know that FFA as been a huge influence in my life. I earned each of my "degrees" and then earned my American Farmer Degree. That year I was one of 80 students that received it out of 15,000 FFA Members in our state.
Below is the FFA Creed and is something that I always remembered over the years. I learned it when I was 12 years old. My brother was in FFA and we had a contest to see who could memorize it first.
What is your favorite memory in FFA if you were in it?
FFA Creed
I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds - achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.
I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny.
I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturists to serve our own and the public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil.
I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining; in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so--for others as well as myself; in less need for charity and more of it when needed; in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends upon me.
I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.
The creed was written by E. M. Tiffany, and adopted at the 3rd National Convention of the FFA. It was revised at the 38th Convention and the 63rd Convention.
~Jessica in Kentucky & Farmgirl Sisterhood #137~
Be sure to visit my blog & Crafty Clipart for some of my photographs:
http://bluegrassprincess.blogspot.com/
http://www.craftyclipart.com |
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Firemama
True Blue Farmgirl
1731 Posts
Amanda
Medical Lake
WA
USA
1731 Posts |
Posted - Feb 19 2008 : 09:12:43 AM
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My favorite memory of FFA was ofcourse taking care of the animals. The whole group would switch up every weekend and go out to our farm and care for the animals. It was awesome! I want to get my children involved.
Mama to 2
FarmGirl# 20
Rich or Poor, It Dont matter We're all the same everybodys hungry in a different way....
http://myfarmdreams.blogspot.com/
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Jeanna
True Blue Farmgirl
267 Posts
Jeanna
Franklin
NC
USA
267 Posts |
Posted - Feb 19 2008 : 10:15:45 AM
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My daughter is a member of the FFA and she loves it. This is her first year but she is already an officer. She is a little ahead of the game as we have always had Cattle and different animals. She is amazed that girls take it and can't stand the smell of cows. I tried to explain to her that they were there because of the boys. She just shook her head. But back to seriousness. Please as Jessica said support your local FFA chapter. These kids are our future.
Jeanna
Farmgirl Sister #41
If both of our troubles were hung on a line--You would take yours and I would take mine. |
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kydeere40744
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
Jessica
Kentucky
USA
1132 Posts |
Posted - Feb 19 2008 : 10:34:10 AM
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Jeanna - I know what it feels like that first year of FFA. When I started out, our freshman class only had 2 girls in it. By my senior year, we had our very first Female President in our chapter...and that was in 1998. I was the first female regional officer out of our group. I remember hearing the phrase "FFA: We're not just plows, cows, and sows anymore" to promote diversity. Probably the biggest change is that one year they elected a National President from Chicago who lived in the city. He was the changing face of agriculture and their school was heavily involved in promoting agriculture and had a huge garden. It was a really neat story to hear.
If your daughter's chapter needs any fundraising ideas, let me know. We did quite a bit of it to raise $$ to go to state convention. We never went to National Convention when it was in Kansas City. I did get to go to Nationals a couple of years as a judge when it was in Louisville. Sure do miss it!
~Jessica in Kentucky & Farmgirl Sisterhood #137~
Be sure to visit my blog & Crafty Clipart for some of my photographs:
http://bluegrassprincess.blogspot.com/
http://www.craftyclipart.com |
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Linda Houston
True Blue Farmgirl
538 Posts
Linda
Lake Charles
Louisiana
USA
538 Posts |
Posted - Feb 19 2008 : 11:58:05 AM
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FFA was a huge part of my life while growing up on our farm. My brothers were both members and I was a 4-Her (before girls were allowed to join FFA) We showed animals, Parlimentary Law team, State officers and on and on. such a rich life for us and good memories.
My granddaughter is now a college senior and she was a State Officer and very active. I have 3 granchildren that are active today. I am so grateful for a fundamentally good club where life skills can be learned and re-taught over different generations.
My Father was a honorary member of the high school FFA and I can still "see" him in the show barns helping all the kids, laughing, and just having fun with all of us. He has since passed away some 40 years ago, but his memory and love for the farm and that life lingers in my soul today.
I attend the FFA banquet with my family and each years I cry. The memories are rich and real and as I see my granchildren saying their pledge and taking part I feel blessed. At the same time there is a sadness that more of our children can not be a part of something so America.
(Off my soap box)
Linda |
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Across the Fence: National FFA Week |
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National FFA Week
