Introduction to the FFA Michael Southerland – Cocke County FFA

Introduction to the FFA

Michael Southerland – Cocke County FFA

Objectives

• 1. Define terms relevant to the FFA.• 2. Discuss the history of the FFA.• 3. List the location of the FFA headquarters.• 4. List the names and locations of FFA camp

& conventions.• 5. List the types of FFA membership.• 6. List the degrees of active membership and

the award given.

Objectives (cont.)

• 7. List the chapter offices, officers and symbols.

• 8. List the parts of the FFA Emblem.• 9. List the FFA colors.• 10. Recite the FFA Motto.• 11. Discuss the FFA Creed.• 12. Discuss the FFA meeting room arrangement.

Objectives (cont.)

• 13. List career development events.• 14. Discuss FFA Awards.• 15. List the official FFA dress.• 16. Discuss the proper use of the FFA jacket.• 17. Discuss the FFA Code of Ethics.• 18. Memorize & recite the FFA response.• 19. Repeat the Pledge of Allegiance properly.• 20. Discuss the uses of the gavel.• 21. Discuss the FFA mission statement.

1. Terms to Know

A. FFA Chapter – Official local body of the FFA organization; place where members assemble to conduct & manage the chapter business.

B. Executive Committee – Elected officers & advisors responsible for guiding the FFA organization.

C. FFA Member – Individual meeting the requirements for membership in the FFA & winning the majority approval of the membership.

1. Terms to Know (cont.)

D. Supervised Agriculture Experience Program (SAEP) – Agriculture experiences that members put into practice under the supervision of an advisor.

E. Paraphernalia – Equipment & materials necessary for conducting an official FFA meeting.

F. Order of Business – Activities that are to be followed at all FFA meetings.

G. Parliamentary Procedure – Rules that allow FFA members to transact chapter business in an orderly manner using Robert’s Rules of Order.

2. History of the FFA

Important Dates to Remember:A. 1917: Smith-Hughes Act passed- courses in vocational

agriculture were established.

B. 1928: The FFA was established in Kansas City, MO.

Dues were set at 10 cents per member.

C. 1944 National FFA Foundation was formed to use funds from business and industry to support FFA activities.

D. 1950 Public Law 740 was passed by Congress granting the FFA a federal charter.

2. History of the FFA (cont.)

E. 1958: The National Future Farmer magazine was started.

F. 1965: Consolidation with the New Farmers of America (NFA) strengthened the FFA. (NFA was an organization similar to the FFA for African American students.)

G. 1969: Female students were allowed to become members.

H. 1971: National FFA Alumni Association was formed.

2. History of the FFA (cont.)

I. 1988: Name of the organization was changed to National FFA Organization.

J. 1989: Name of The National Future Farmer magazine was changed to New Horizons.

Father of the FFA-Henry C. Groseclose.

3. FFA Headquarters

A. 1928-1998: Alexandria, VA at Mount Vernon (George Washington’s Estate)

B. 1998-present: Indianapolis, Indiana.

4. Camps & Conventions

A. Camp Clements FFA Leadership Training Camp

1. First FFA camp in the nation.

2. Owned by the TN FFA Association.

3. Located in Doyle, TN.

B. State FFA Convention: Gatlinburg

1. 3 – 4 days

2. Last of March or first of April

4. Camps & Conventions

C. National FFA Convention

1. 1928 - 1998: Kansas City, MO

2. 1999 - 2005: Louisville, KY

3. 2006 – present : Indianapolis, IN

5. Types of FFA Membership

• Active– enrolled in ag class, dues paid

• Collegiate– 2 or 4 year college

• Alumni– former members

• Honorary– people who support FFA

6. Degrees of Active Membership

Greenhand Degree (bronze pin):• For first year members• Knowledge of FFA History• Recite the Creed• Recite the Motto• Recite the Salute• Must be enrolled in Agriculture Ed.• Have satisfactory SAE plans


Chapter Degree (silver pin):• Completed 2 semesters of agriculture• Have SAE program in operation• Earn and productively invest $150 or work at

least 45 hours at SAE• Effectively lead a group discussion for 15 minutes• At least 10 hours of community service activities


State Degree (gold charm/pin):• Active FFA member 2 years• 2 years of agriculture• Earn and productively invest $1000 or work 300 hours in

an SAE Program• At least 25 hours of community service within at least

two different activities (NOTE: 15 more than Chapter Degree). These hours are in addition to and cannot be duplicated as paid or unpaid SAE hours


State Degree:• Chapter officer or committee member• Satisfactory scholastic record• Participate in the planning of the Program of Activities• 5 activities above chapter level• Degree Charm worn above name on jacket or on standard

key chain


American Degree (gold key):• Highest degree• Active member for 3 years• 3 years of class• Graduate from high school at least 12 months

prior to receiving degree• Outstanding SAE Program


American Degree:• Earn and productively invest $7,500 or earn and

invest $1,500 and work at least 2,250 unpaid hours

• Have a record of outstanding leadership abilities• Scholastic record of “C” or better• Golden key worn above name or on chain


American Degree:• Have participated in at least 50 hours in at least 3 different

community service activities (25 more than State Degree). These hours are in addition to and cannot be duplicated as paid or unpaid SAE hours; and -these hours may be cumulative.

• Example:

10 hours required for Chapter Degree,

15 more hours are required for the State Degree

25 more hours are required for the American Degree, for a total of 50 hours.

7. Chapter Officers

A. President– Presides over all meetingsB. Vice-president– Assists president and directs all

committee workC. Secretary– Keeps minutes of all meetingsD. Treasurer– Keeps financial recordsE. Reporter– Reports chapter newsF. Sentinel– Assists president in maintaining orderG. Advisor– Advises FFA members on all matters

relating to the chapter

7. Chapter Officers

G. Historian - Keeps chapter scrapbookH. Chaplain– Takes charge of religious exercises

during meetings, banquets, or other occasionsI. Parliamentarian– Informs the members on

correct parliamentary procedureJ. Student Advisor- assists the advisor & other

officers

7. Chapter Officers

A. Rising sun– PresidentB. Plow– Vice-presidentC. Ear of corn– SecretaryD. Bust of Washington– TreasurerE. American flag– ReporterF. Shield of friendship– SentinelG. Owl– Advisor / Student AdvisorH. Eagle– ParliamentarianI. Holy Bible– ChaplainJ. Scrolls-- Historian

7. Chapter Officers

List the current chapter officers on your handout. You will be required to complete a chapter officers’ quiz, in which you will have to list the name of each officer, based on their position on the team.

8. Symbols of the Emblem

• The FFA emblem is made up of five symbols:


A. Cross-section of an ear of corn: The symbol of corn represents our common agricultural interests, is native to America, and is grown in every state.


B. The rising sun: It symbolizes progress in agriculture and the confidence that FFA members have in the future.


C. The plow: It is a symbol of labor and tillage of the soil.


D. The owl: It symbolizes wisdom and knowledge.


E. The eagle: This is symbolic of the national scope of the FFA.


The words “Agricultural Education“ surround the letters “FFA.” This tells us that FFA is an important part of agriculture and agribusiness programs.

9. FFA Colors

The colors of the FFA are National Blue and Corn Gold. Blue reminds us that the FFA is a national organization. Gold reminds us that corn is a native American crop grown in every state.

10. FFA Motto

Learning to do,

Doing to learn,

Earning to live,

Living to serve.

*Every student must recite this to meet the requirements of successfully completing the FFA

unit.*

11. The FFA Creed

• Written by E.M. Tiffany• Adopted at the 3rd National Convention• Revised at the 38th & 63rd National Convention

(What does “revised” mean?)• Five paragraphs – six sentences• Each paragraph begins with “I believe”

(Refer to your FFA Creed handout)

12. FFA Meeting Room Arrangement

• Refer to your handout

13. Career Development Events (CDEs)

Fall CDEs:• Land Evaluation (Soil Judging)• Opening & Closing Ceremonies• FFA Creed

13. Career Development Events (CDEs)

Spring CDEs:• Prepared & Extemporaneous Public Speaking (2 separate CDEs)• Job Interview• Livestock Evaluation• Floriculture• Nursery/Landscape• Envirothon• Dairy Evaluation• Poultry Evaluation• Forestry

14. FFA Awards

A. Star Awards

1. Star Greenhand

2. Star in Agribusiness

3. Star Farmer

B. Proficiencies (approximately 47 different award areas) – Refer to the handout

15. Official Dress for FFA Members

A. Male

1.FFA Jacket zipped to the top

2. FFA tie

3. Black slacks

4. White dress shirt

5. Black socks

6. Black shoes

15. Official Dress for FFA Members

B. Female

1. FFA Jacket zipped to the top

2. FFA scarf

3. Black skirt / black slacks (special occassions)

4. White blouse

5. Black shoes

6. Black pantyhose (not required, but looks more professional)

16. Use of the FFA Jacket

1. It should only be worn by FFA members.

2. It should always be clean and neat.3. It should only have the names of the

state association and local chapter on the back. Individual’s name and office of honor should be on the front.

16. Use of the FFA Jacket

4. It should be worn with the zipper fastened to all official FFA occasions.

5. It should not be worn with apparel bearing the insignia of other organizations.

6. It should be worn with no more than three medals beneath the individual’s name.

17. FFA Code of Ethics

• FFA members conduct themselves at all times to be a credit to their organization, chapter, school, community and family. As an FFA member, I pledge to:

- Develop my potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success.

- Make a positive difference in the lives of others

- Dress neatly and appropriately for the occasion


- Showing respect for the rights of others and their property

- Be courteous, honest and fair with others

- Communicate in an appropriate, purposeful and positive manner

- Demonstrate good sportsmanship by being modest in winning and generous in defeat


- Make myself aware of FFA programs and activities and be an active participant

- Conduct and value a supervised agricultural experience program

- Strive to establish and enhance my skills through agricultural education in order to enter a successful career

- Appreciate and promote diversity in our organization

18. FFA Response

• FFA members, why are we here?• “To practice brotherhood, honor agricultural

opportunities and responsibilities, and develop those qualities of leadership which an FFA member should possess.”

You MUST memorize this and be able to recite it during our FFA meetings.

19. Pledge of Allegiance

• Known as the FFA salute.• You should recite this every morning during the

morning announcements.• Remember – there is NO pause in the line “one

nation under God”.

20. The Gavel

The gavel is the symbol of authority.• 1 tap of the gavel means to sit down or to adjourn

a meeting.• 2 taps of the gavel calls the meeting to order.• 3 taps of the gavel means to stand up.• Quick, rapid taps of the gavel is used to regain

order.

21. FFA Mission Statement

FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agriculture education.

Documents

Introduction to the FFA Michael Southerland – Cocke County FFA