What is the FFA ?

Mr. T L Morris

FFA is not just a "club." It is one of three integral components of an agricultural

education program:

Classroom instruction, supervised agricultural experience and the FFA. Any students between the ages of 12 and 21 who are enrolled in a systematic course of instruction in agricultural education are eligible for membership.

• The National FFA association was formed November 20, 1928.

• Leslie Applegate was the first National FFA president.

• In 1969, Females were permitted to participate as members in the FFA organization.

• Jan Eberle was the first National FFA president from California

• The official FFA creed and colors were adopted at the third National convention in 1930.

• The official colors are Corn gold and national blue.

FFA Benefits• Making new friends • Becoming a leader • Traveling • Earning money and awards • Being a part of a team • Having fun • Making positive choices• Targeting career success• Serving your community • Outstanding conferences and conventions

The National Emblem of the Future Farmers of America is significant and meaningful in every detail. Used by members in all recognized units in the organization, it is made up of five symbols: the owl, the plow, and the rising sun, within the cross section of an ear of corn, which is surrounded by the American eagle

FFA Motto

Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.

The FFA MissionThe National FFA Organization is dedicated to

making a positive difference in the lives of young people by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and

career success through agricultural education. 

 

Official Colors• What are the

Colors?

• National Blue

• Corn Gold

Why These Colors?

The blue was taken from the blue field of our nation's flag.

The gold, stems from the golden fields of ripened corn.

Together, they provide the National FFA Organization with unity, and therefore the colors should be displayed with pride.

FFA Dress Code

The official dress for female members is to be black skirt, white blouse with official FFA blue scarf, black shows, and official jacket zipped to the top. Black slacks may be worn for outdoor activities, such as judging, excessive traveling and camping.

The official dress for male members is to be black slacks, white shirt, blue FFA tie, black shoes and socks, and the official jacket zipped to the top.

President:President: Stationed by the rising sunStationed by the rising sun Vice- PresidentVice- President: : Stationed by the plowStationed by the plow Secretary:Secretary: Stationed by the ear of Stationed by the ear of

corncorn Treasurer:Treasurer: Stationed at the emblem Stationed at the emblem

of of Washington Washington Chaplain:Chaplain: Stationed by the Bible Stationed by the Bible Historian: Historian: Stationed by the scrapbookStationed by the scrapbook Sentinel:Sentinel: Stationed by the doorStationed by the door ReporterReporter: : Stationed by the flagStationed by the flag Advisor:Advisor: Stationed by the owlStationed by the owl

STATE ORGANIZATION

Alabama Associations consists of 324 chapters.

Three Districts:

1. North District

2. Central District

4. South District

Degrees earned at local, state and national levels recognize members' increasing accomplishments. Competitive events and awards programs in areas such as public speaking, commodity marketing and agriscience recognize students' achievements, encourage them to excel beyond the classroom and develop career skills. Community service programs help students contribute to society.

FFA Degrees

• Greenhand Degree

• Chapter Degree

• State Degree

• American Farmer Degree

National FFA ConventionAmerican FFA Degree

"We practice brotherhood, honor rural opportunities and responsibilities, and develop those qualities of leadership which a Future Farmer should possess."

THE FFA CODE OF ETHICS We will conduct ourselves at all times in order to

be a credit to our organization, chapter, school, and community by:

A. Dressing neatly and appropriately for the occasion. B. Showing respect for rights of others and being courteous at

all times.C. Being honest and not taking unfair advantage of others. D. Respecting property of others. E. Refraining from loud, boisterous talk, swearing and other

unbecoming conduct. F. Demonstrating sportsmanship lin the show ring, judging

contests, and meetings. Modest in winning and generous in defeat.

G. Attending meetings promptly and respecting the opinion of others in discussion.

H. Taking pride in our organization; in our activities; in our supervised experience programs; in our exhibits, and in the occupation of agriculture.

I. Sharing with others experiences and knowledge gained by attending National and State meetings.

What are the purposes of the FFA?

• Scholarship• Cooperation• Recreation• Service• Thrift

• Improved Agriculture• Leadership• Citizenship• Patriotism• Character

The purpose of the FFA is to develop:

Improved Agriculture• Helps students to understand how life has

been made easier through improvements in agriculture– milking dairy cows

• 400-2000 cows by machine twice / 3 times a day

• 20-40 cows by hand twice a day

– tractors - 1acre field feeds 20 people• by hand 5 farmers with 5 acres = 500 people

• 1 farmer with a tractor 1000 acres = 20,000 people

Leadership

• Ability to influence other people to meet individual or group goals– You need to decide where you want to be

• :LEAD, FOLLOW or GET OUT OF THE WAY

– You have to decide what role is best suited for each situation

– You have to be able to assume all roles or change your role very quickly in some situations

Citizenship

• Being a productive member of society– if you don’t have to be on welfare or food

stamps to survive then DON’T

– When you have your hand out …..

• Are you offering or asking for something

Patriotism

• Loyalty and love for one’s country

• You have to be loyal to what you believe in

• Make decision’s in life and get off the fence

Character

• Morals or values

• What you believe in or stand for

• What kind of person are you?

• How do people look at you?– Are you honest?– Are you a thief?

Scholarship

• Academics– strive to be the best students you can be– work hard and obtain good grades– if you need help with an assignment have the

courage to ask

• Albert Einstein was learning disabled

Cooperation

• The act or practice of cooperating

• To work together towards a common end or purpose

• What happens when people don’t cooperate?

• What happens when they do?

Recreation

• Allows students to have fun with each other– camps, basketball

Service

• Helping others

• Employment in duties or work for another

• Helping other students or community members

• Service with a SMILE….... Whether it’s cleaning floors or being the President of the US

Thrift

• Wise economy in the management of money and other resources– using time wisely

• Wisely economical– thrift stores

Being active in the FFA allows opportunities too...

TRAVEL

HAVE FUN

MEET PEOPLE

The FFA stresses three closely related areas:

LEADERSHIP

PERSONAL GROWTH

CAREER SUCCESS

Describe Leadership?• Ability to influence other people to meet

individual or group goals

• A leader is a person who helps others meet their goals

• With a little practice these traits can be learned by anyone– personal skills– “how to” skills– “thinking” skills– “people”skills

Leaders are not born….

They are EDUCATED

Personal skills

• Traits that make it easy for people to follow the leader

– responsibility– hard working– share responsibility

“How to” skills

• Helps a leader to share responsibility

– organizational skills– organizes meetings– public speaking– written communication

“Thinking” skills

• Enables a leader to think and assess problems

– analyzing situations– anticipate problems– seeing opportunities

“People” skills

• Helps leader relate to others

– trustworthy– respect others– positive attitude– good communication skills

Describe Career Success?

• Helps people develop skills to begin and advance in careers

• Recognizes excellence

• Applied through Agricultural Education and SAE to gain practical experience in many areas– some do research others raise animals or crops

History con’t• 1920’s Future Farmers of America was founded

by Henry Groseclose in rural Virginia

• 1928 1st FFA convention in Kansas City Missouri - 33 delegates

• 1934 all states except Rhode Island had FFA

• 1939 National FFA Camp on land which belonged to George Washington in in Alexandria, Virginia. (The camp later became the National FFA Center.)

History con’t

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

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

• 1958 The National Future Farmer magazine was started.

History con’t

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

• 1969 Female students were allowed to become members.

• 1971 National FFA Alumni Association was formed.

History con’t

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

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

• 1999 National FFA Center moved from Alexandria, VA, to Indianapolis, IN.

• 1999 The National FFA Convention was moved to Louisville, Kentucky.

How do you become a member?

• Kinds of FFA Membership

• 1. Active

• 2. Alumni

• 3. Collegiate

• 4. Honorary

What is active membership?• Students enrolled in agricultural classes in grades 7-

12• Pay local, State and National Dues $10• Be interested in FFA• Attend meetings on a regular basis• Participate in activities• 4 categories of active status

– Greenhand, Chapter Farmer, State Degree, American Farmer

Greenhand versus Chapter farmer• Greenhand

– Enrolled in Ag with a plan for an SAE

– Learn Creed, Motto, Salute and Mission

– Explain colors and emblem

– Demo code of ethics and proper jacket use

– history, constitutions and bylaws, POA

– Access to manual and handbook

• Chapter– Received Greenhand

– 180hrs class time

– 3 activities

– earned or invested $150 or worked 45 hours

– Lead a 15 min group discussion

– 5 Parli Pro activities

– progress towards goal

– C average in all classes

Compare other memberships?

• Alumni - former members and others interested in the FFA organization

• Collegiate - students enrolled in a 2 or 4 year college

• Honorary - adults who have been supportive of the FFA, voted on by members

What activities are available with in the FFA?

Something for everyone

How do I become a good FFA member?

• More than just paying dues• Know about the organization and its impressive

heritage• Be able to:

– State the motto– Explain the colors– Describe the FFA emblem– Explain the official dress– Recite the FFA creed

FFA MottoLearning to DoDoing to LearnEarning to LiveLiving to Serve

Colors of the FFA

• 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.

Symbols of the FFA Emblem

• The FFA emblem was designed with much thought and meaning.

• It is made up of five symbols.

Symbols of the FFA Emblem

• 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.

Symbols of the FFA Emblem

• The eagle. This is symbolic of the national scope of the FFA.

Symbols of the FFA Emblem

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

Symbols of the FFA Emblem

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

Symbols of the FFA Emblem

• The owl. It symbolizes wisdom and knowledge.

Symbols of the FFA Emblem

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

Some Guidelines ForWearing 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.

Some Guidelines ForWearing 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.

The 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.

The FFA Creed

• 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 fond-ness for those associations which, even in hours

of discouragement, I cannot deny.

The FFA Creed

• 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.

The FFA Creed

• 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.

The FFA Creed

• 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.

What are the member responsibilities?

• Learn about the FFA• Participate• Volunteer for committees

and to be an officer• support all members• Participate in leadership

development activities• Have a good SAE• Keep good records

• Take studies seriously• Respect others• Avoid substance that can

harm you• Practice good eating and

sleeping habits• Follow school and

community rules• Strive to develop good human

relation skills• Tell others of FFA

Chapter Officer Duties

Childersburg High FFA

Chapter Leaders Work Together as a Team

Offices of FFA

President

• Symbol: The Rising Sun

• “A token of a new era in agriculture.”

• “…led out of the darkness of selfishness and into the glorious sunlight of brotherhood and cooperation.”

Scott Patterson

Duties/Responsibilities

• Presides over and conducts Chapter meetings

• Calls special meetings• Represents chapter• Appoints committees• Coordinates chapter

function

Vice President

• Symbol: Plow• “The plow is a symbol

of labor and tillage of the soil. Without labor neither knowledge nor wisdom can accomplish much.”

Mackenzie Gingles

Duties/Responsibilities

• Assist the President• In charge of

committees• Presides at meetings in

the absence of President

• Establish and maintain chapter resource file

Secretary

• Symbol: Ear of Corn• “Keep an accurate

record of all meetings and correspond with other secretaries wherever corn is grown and FFA members meet.”

Nicole Gooden

Duties/Responsibilities

• Prepares and read the minutes of meetings

• Sends out and post notices

• Keeps permanent records of the chapter

• Read official correspondence and communications at meetings

Treasurer

• Symbol: Bust of Washington

• “Keep a record of receipts just as Washington kept his farm accounts-carefully and accurately.”

Chase Smith

Duties/ Responsibilities

• Receives and acts as custodian of chapter funds

• Collects dues• Helps prepare chapter

budget

Historian

• Symbol: Scrapbook• I keep a record of past

and present activities of the chapter and the members.

Matthew Herbert

Duties/Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a scrapbook of memorabilia in which to record the chapter's history

• Research and prepare items of significance of the chapter's history.

• Prepare displays of chapter activities and submit stories of former members to the media.

• Assist the reporter in providing photography for chapter needs.

Chaplain

• Symbol: Bible• The Bible has served

Mankind for many years. We have in our motto living to serve. May we use the Bible to guide both our faith and service to our fellow Man.

________________

Duties/Responsibilities

• Present the invocation at banquets and other functions.

• Coordinate FFA participation at local area churches during National FFA Week.

• Conduct reflections services at summer camps and conferences.

Reporter

• Symbol: American Flag

• “As the flag covers the United States of America, so I strive to inform the people in order that every man, woman and child may know that the FFA is a national organization.”

Steven Cryer

Duties/ Responsibilities

• Prepares news items• Classifies chapter news• Prepares and maintains

chapter scrapbook• Serves as chapter

photographer

Sentinel

• Symbol: Shield of Friendship

• “Through this door pass many friend of the FFA. It is my duty to see that the door is open to our friends at all times and that they are welcome.”

Austin Rich

Duties/ Responsibilities

• Sets up meeting room• Attends door and

welcomes visitors• Assists President in

maintaining order• Assists with special

features and refreshments

Advisor

• Symbol: Owl• “The owl is a

time-honored emblem of knowledge and wisdom.”

T. L. Morris

Duties/ Responsibilities

• Responsible for supervision of FFA activities and advising student-leaders.

• Engage all agriculture students in FFA activities

Meeting Room Set-up

President

Vice President

Secretary

Advisor

Reporter

Treasurer

Sentinel

PresidentRising Sun

Vice President

Secretary

Advisor

Reporter

Treasurer

Sentinel

PresidentRising Sun

Vice President

Secretary Ear of Corn

Advisor

Reporter

Treasurer

Sentinel

PresidentRising Sun

Vice President

Secretary Ear of Corn

Advisor Owl

Reporter

Treasurer

Sentinel

PresidentRising Sun

Vice President

Secretary Ear of Corn

Advisor Owl

Reporter Flag

Treasurer

Sentinel

PresidentRising Sun

Vice President

Secretary Ear of Corn

Advisor Owl

Reporter Flag

Treasurer Bust of Washington

Sentinel

PresidentRising Sun

Vice President

Secretary Ear of Corn

Advisor Owl

Reporter Flag

Treasurer Bust of Washington

Sentinel Symbol of Friendship

PresidentRising Sun

Vice PresidentPlow

Secretary Ear of Corn

Advisor Owl

Reporter Flag

Treasurer Bust of Washington

Sentinel Symbol of Friendship

Where to get more information

• http://www.ffa.org

• FFA Student Handbook

• FFA official Manual

• Your FFA Advisor

• Older FFA members