What is the FFA ?

1. What is the FFA ? Mr. T L Morris

2. 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.

3. Historical Facts about the FFA • 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. Official Colors • What are the Colors? • National Blue • Corn Gold

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Chapter Officers • President:Stationed by the rising sun • Vice- President: Stationed by the plow • Secretary:Stationed by the ear of corn • Treasurer:Stationed at the emblem of Washington • Chaplain: Stationed by the Bible • Historian: Stationed by the scrapbook • Sentinel:Stationed by the door • Reporter: Stationed by the flag • Advisor:Stationed by the owl

11. STATE ORGANIZATION Alabama Associations consists of 324 chapters. Three Districts: 1. North District 2. Central District 4. South District

12. Degrees & Qualification 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. Good Job !

13. FFA Degrees • Greenhand Degree • Chapter Degree • State Degree • American Farmer Degree

14. National FFA ConventionAmerican FFA Degree

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

16. 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 theopinion 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.

17. Scholarship Cooperation Recreation Service Thrift Improved Agriculture Leadership Citizenship Patriotism Character What are the purposes of the FFA? The purpose of the FFA is to develop:

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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?

23. 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

24. 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?

25. Recreation • Allows students to have fun with each other • camps, basketball

26. 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

27. Thrift • Wise economy in the management of money and other resources • using time wisely • Wisely economical • thrift stores

28. Being active in the FFA allows opportunities too... TRAVEL HAVE FUN MEET PEOPLE

29. The FFA stresses three closely related areas: LEADERSHIP PERSONAL GROWTH CAREER SUCCESS

30. 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

31. Leaders are not born…. They are EDUCATED

32. Personal skills • Traits that make it easy for people to follow the leader • responsibility • hard working • share responsibility

33. “How to” skills • Helps a leader to share responsibility • organizational skills • organizes meetings • public speaking • written communication

34. “Thinking” skills • Enables a leader to think and assess problems • analyzing situations • anticipate problems • seeing opportunities

35. “People” skills • Helps leader relate to others • trustworthy • respect others • positive attitude • good communication skills

36. 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

37. 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.)

38. 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.

39. 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.

40. 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.

41. How do you become a member? • Kinds of FFA Membership • 1. Active • 2. Alumni • 3. Collegiate • 4. Honorary

42. 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

43. 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 Greenhand versus Chapter farmer

44. 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

45. What activities are available with in the FFA? Something for everyone

46. 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

47. FFA MottoLearning to DoDoing to LearnEarning to LiveLiving to Serve

48. 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.

49. Symbols of the FFA Emblem • The FFA emblem was designed with much thought and meaning. • It is made up of five symbols.

50. 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.