Students across the country fete FFA
INDIANAPOLIS — Agriculture plays a key role in our daily lives and in a variety of ways. Next week, more than half a million FFA members will celebrate the role agriculture plays in our lives while sharing their message of agriculture and agricultural education throughout the country.
During National FFA Week, a host of activities are planned to raise awareness about the role the National FFA Organization plays in the development of agriculture’s future leaders and the importance of agricultural education.
FFA Week always runs Saturday to Saturday and encompasses Feb. 22, George Washington’s birthday. This year, the week kicks off on Feb. 20 and culminates on Feb. 27.
The weeklong tradition, which began in 1948, was designated by the National FFA Board of Directors in recognition of Washington’s legacy as an agriculturalist and farmer. FFA was founded by a group of young farmers back in 1928. Its mission is to prepare future generations for the challenges of feeding a growing population. Founding members of the organization taught generations that agriculture is more than planting and harvesting — it involves science, business and more.
Today, FFA continues to help the next generation rise up to meet new agricultural challenges by helping members develop their own unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range of career pathways. Members progress to enjoy careers as biologists, chemists, veterinarians, engineers and entrepreneurs.
FFA chapters use this week to help share the message of agriculture with their fellow students as well as with their community. It’s an opportunity to give back to their community through service projects and is also a perfect time for members to recruit students to become FFA members.