September 2015 Mr. Brown The National FFA Organization

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The National FFA Organization

What is the FFA?• The National FFA Organization used to be know

as Future Farmers of America.– When it was originally created in 1928, the FFA

existed to prepare students for careers primarily in production agriculture. • An organization was needed to prepare students in high

school for the rapidly modernizing world of agriculture.

What is the FFA?• The National FFA Organization is a dynamic youth

organization that changes lives and prepares students for:– Premier leadership,– Personal growth, and…– Career success through agricultural education.

The Three Circle Model • An example of what works well in education, FFA is

an intracurricular organization that implements the three-circle model of education– Classroom instruction– Supervised agricultural Experience

• Hands-on learning – Leadership development through

FFA programs.

It’s “Intracurricular”• The FFA is an intracurricular organization.– combines classroom education with hands-on lab

experiences and out-of-class activities to best prepare students for the life they want to have after high school.

– By combining classroom education with real-world experience, you will be best prepared to get into the college of your choice and obtain a fulfilling and rewarding career in a field that interests you.

• The FFA is not a club!– Not just anyone can be an FFA member –

you have to be a part of a high school that offers agricultural education.

Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE’S)

• Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs) are any experience you might have outside the classroom related to agriculture, science, the environment, business, and technology.

SAE Hour Requirements (we will learn more about this later!)

• Freshman: 50 hours• Sophomores: 200 hours• Juniors: 200 hours• Seniors: 200 hours

Career Development Events• Career Development Events (CDEs) are another

FFA competition • allow you compete and gain recognition and awards while

preparing for a future career.

• CDE’s are:– team-based events in which you compete against

other students in competitions related to careers. – based on current industry standards, where FFA

members can demonstrate the knowledge and skills gained from 1) classroom instruction, 2) their SAE and 3) FFA activities.Source: https://sites.google.com/site/wisconsinffacdepage/

CDE’s• Floriculture• Forestry • Nursery- Landscape• Poultry• Meats• Livestock• Horse Judging• Opening and closing

ceremonies **

• Dairy Evaluation• Environmental/

Natural Resources• Agriculture

Mechanics• Food Science• Milk Quality and

Products• Farm Business

Management

• Parli Pro• Ag Comm• Vet Tech• Ag Sales• Agriscience Fair• Aquaculture• Quizbowl **• Tractor Driving• Job Interview• Ag Marketing• Extemporaneous speaking

• Prepared Public Speaking • Creed Speaking ***

Freshman Only CDE’s

• Opening and Closing (freshman and sophomores

• Creed Speaking • FFA Knowledge

Introduction to the FFA

The National FFA Organization• The National FFA is the largest student-run

organization in the United States with our 500,000 members annually in middle school, high school, and college.

• The FFA was created in 1928.

• It is a federated system of state associations, located in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam.

Types of FFA Membership

• Active: enrolled in an agriscience class and has paid their dues

• Collegiate: enrolled in a two or four year college with an FFA program

• Alumni: former members• Honorary: those who support the FFA

Degrees of Active Membership

• Greenhand Degree: offered to new members who demonstrate a basic understanding of the ffa and has plans for SAE and career preparation.

• Chapter Degree • State Degree• American Degree

How is the FFA governed• Each school’s program is called a Chapter.– We are the Stamford Regional FFA Chapter– FFA Chapters are run by an elected FFA

President, an Officer Team, and advisors.

Chapter Officers

• President: Presides over all meetings• Vice President: Assists president and directs

all committee work• Secretary: Keeps minutes of all meetings• Treasurer: Keeps financial records• Reporter: Report chapter news• Sentinel: Assists president in maintaining

order

Chapter Officer’s Continued

• Advisor: Advises FFA members on all matters relating to the chapter

• Historian: Keeps chapter scrapbook• Parliamentarian: Informs the members on

correct parliamentary procedure• Student Advisor: Assists the advisor and

other officers.

Chapter Officer Symbols

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. Scrolls-- Historian

The FFA Emblem

• The national ffa emblem contains 5 symbols• Symbols represent the history, goals and

future of the organization• Covers broad spectrum of FFA and

Agriculture

Symbols of the FFA Emblem

• Cross-section of an ear of corn: – represents our common agricultural interests– native to America – grown in every state

Symbols of the EmblemSymbols of the Emblem

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.

FFA ColorsFFA 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.

FFA MottoFFA 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.*

FFA Mission• 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 agricultural education.

• The FFA Salute is the Pledge of Allegiance.

FFA Creed

• Written by E.M Tiffany• Adopted at the 3rd National Convention• Five Paragraphs with Six Sentences Each• Each paragraph begins with “I Believe”

• If you choose to memorize the FFA Creed you may participate in the Creed Speaking CDE!

FFA Official Dress• Official Dress is the term for the ‘uniform’ of

FFA members. Official Dress consists of:– A FFA Jacket– A white collared shirt or blouse– A FFA Tie or Scarf– Black dress pants or a black skirt– Black socks or nylons– Black shoes or heels.

Official Dress Rules• The jacket is to be worn only by members• The jacket should be kept clean and neat• The back of the jacket should have only:– A large official emblem– The name of the state association (Connecticut) – Name of the local chapter (Stamford)

Official Dress Rules

• It should be worn with zippered fastened to all FFA occasions

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

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

FFA Response

• During the FFA meeting the President will ask: “FFA Members, why are we here?”

• The President will then tap the gavel three times. After the third tap you will state– “To practice brotherhood, honor agricultural

opportunities and responsibilities and develop those qualities of leadership which an FFA member should posses

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

FFA Code of EthicsFFA 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

FFA Code of Ethics

- Strive to establish and enhance my skills through agricultural education in order to enter a successful career- Appreciate and promote diversity in our organization

Documents

September 2015 Mr. Brown The National FFA Organization