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The National FFA Organization is an American youth organization known as a Career and Technical Student Organization, based on middle and high school classes that promote and support agricultural education. The organization, founded in 1928 as Future Farmers of America, now states it has over 507,763 members in 7,439 chapters[1] throughout all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. In 1988 the name of the organization was changed to the National FFA Organization to reflect the expanding career field of Agricultural Education[citation needed]. The group holds a congressional charter under Title 36 of the United States Code[2].
[edit] About FFAThe National FFA Organization, founded in 1928 as the Future Farmers of America, is a dynamic youth leadership organization that strives to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. High school and Middle school students compete in various events called Career Development Events (CDEs). Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs, and Leadership Development Events (LDEs) are programs designed to broaden the students abilities and experience in different fields of agriculture. Students are supervised by agricultural education teachers in cooperation with parents, employers and other adults who assist individuals in the development and achievement of educational and career goals. In 1988 the Future Farmers of America changed its name to simply the National FFA Organization to encompass the growing diversity of Agriculture. Today FFA has over 500,000 members across the nation[3]. These students strive for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. [edit] FFA StructureFFA is represented at several different levels across the nation; FFA administration may change from state to state. The basic levels are the national level, serving all of the United States of America, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; the state level, serving an individual state association; and the chapter level, serving a school or set of schools in an area. Other levels include districts, sections, regions, areas, etc. Originally created to serve high school students, the FFA has recently moved into middle schools where membership may begin as early as age 12, allowing members to become active earlier and stay active for longer. Each chapter is chartered as part of the state association and national organization. Collegiate chapters now exist, as well. Most states hold FFA conventions at least once annually, where members get together to be inspired, renew their faith in agriculture, compete in CDEs, and much more. The National FFA Convention is held once a year in October, and was originally held in Kansas City, Missouri, but moved to Louisville, Kentucky, for seven years, and is currently held at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, from 2006 to 2012.[4] [edit] DegreesMany levels of the FFA can award degrees of membership to that level, signifying an individual member's accomplishments. The recognized Degrees of Membership are:
[edit] Officers of FFAAs the FFA is a member-led organization intended to serve youth around the Nation, it elects officers from its own diverse membership to certain levels of the FFA. At the Chapter level, and many other levels, officers elected are usually: [edit] Constitutional Officers
[edit] Others May include
Each officer is an agricultural student and holds responsibilities needed to serve, and are elected each year by members at the respective levels. [edit] National Officers
This allows officers to be elected to one of the four national regions of the FFA, as well as a President and a Secretary. [edit] Official FFA DressThe most recognizable symbol of the organization is the blue corduroy jacket that is worn by current FFA members. Originally created to be worn by the Fredericktown Band of the Fredericktown FFA Chapter by Dr. Gus Lintner[7] the Official FFA Jacket was adopted in 1933 as the Organization's Official Dress. Official Dress for members is as follows: Males[8]
Females[8]
Members through their time in the FFA work to earn metal pins to place on their jackets[9] Awards include contests pins and proficiency awards. There should never be more than 3 pins on the front of the jacket. Pins that can be below the student's name includes the highest office, highest award, and Discovery, Greenhand, Chapter degrees. The State and American degrees are the only ones that can be above the name if not on a 15"- 20" official FFA degree chain. If a member has earned the State or American FFA degree no other pins should be displayed. No other pins should be displayed either way in these cases. If the member holds the American Degree the state degree should also be removed. Over the years, FFA jackets have come in many forms and colors. Changing suppliers and newer design specifications allowed the jacket to fit awkwardly and the color to turn a deep purple, with orange emblem. Efforts by the National FFA, under the campaign "Only Blue Will Do," redesigned the FFA jacket to its original crisp blue colorhttp://www.universallettering.com/history.aspx. In addition, the cost of the jacket was lowered, and original design elements were restored, such as specialized stitching. All new jackets now are produced to strict standards of quality[7] [edit] TraditionsAs an organization, the FFA has many traditions and trademarks identifying it as an agricultural education organization[clarification needed]: The FFA Motto:
The 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[10]. The Official FFA Colors: National Blue and Corn Gold (worn on the Official FFA jackets)[11]. [edit] The FFA CreedThe FFA creed was written by Erwin Milton "E.M." Tiffany of Wisconsin[12] and adopted at the 3rd National Convention of the FFA[12] It was revised at the 38th Convention and the 63rd Convention. It is recited by new members to the organization, to reflect their growing belief in agriculture and agricultural education it also must be memorized and recited to earn the Greenhand Degree. 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 can not 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 agriculturalists 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. [edit] Career Development EventsFFA Career Development Event, or CDE's, are contests that members compete in to test their skills learned through agricultural education instruction. They vary at the different levels of the FFA, and some are competed in only at certain levels[citation needed]. At the National level, there are 23 CDE's[citation needed]:
[edit] OthersAn example of some CDEs that can available at the sate level are:
[edit] Supervised Agricultural Experience ProgramsTo be an active member in the National FFA Organization, a member must have an Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project[citation needed]. The projects involve hands-on application of concepts and principles learned in the agricultural education classroom, with guidelines for the SAE projects governed by the state FFA delegation. SAE programs are grouped into four different areas:
[edit] Prominent former members[edit] In government
[edit] In entertainment
[edit] In the arts
[edit] Other
[edit] Mentions in popular culture
FFA are also featured in the Dixie Chicks' song "Earl had to die" where the two heroes of the story were "active in the FFA". [edit] References
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