With a smartphone in the hands of young and old alike and so many of our daily duties taking place online, we have lots of opportunity to research anything that peaks our interest. Not surprisingly, people outside of agriculture have questions about our industry and about FFA. When they Google a question, they can see similar questions other people asked under the “People Also Ask” section. It is important to have answers to the most popular questions people are asking. Check out the answers below to the most Googled questions about FFA.
1. What is FFA?
According to the National FFA Organization, “FFA is an intracurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership. It is one of the three components of agricultural education.” Those three components of agricultural education are classroom/laboratory instruction, Supervised Agricultural Experience programs, and student leadership organizations.
The official name of the organization is the National FFA Organization. The letters “FFA” stand for Future Farmers of America. But FFA is not just for students who want to be production farmers — FFA also welcomes members who aspire to careers as teachers, doctors, scientists, business owners, and so much more.
2. Why is FFA important?
We asked Justin Mauss, Carthage Technical Center Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor this question. Mauss said, “FFA is important because it provides a platform for its members to grow as leaders and do incredible things. FFA has countless opportunities for students to grow as leaders and individuals. From the Washington Leadership Conference to serving as a chapter officer, FFA members learn responsibility, the importance of giving back to the community, and how to discover their passion. One way FFA members learn responsibility through their Supervised Agriculture Project (SAE) program. Students have to keep and maintain financial records on an agriculture related project. They use this information later on in their FFA careers to apply for awards and degrees through the FFA.
“Giving back to the community is one of the most notable things that the FFA does well. For example, our own Carthage FFA chapter donated and collected over 9,000 nonperishable food items for the Carthage community back in December. The last line of the FFA Motto is “Living to Serve.” FFA members from across the country live that last line of the Motto, “Living to Serve,” every day.
“Finally, FFA exposes its members to many different aspects of the agriculture industry which allows those members to find their passion in the field of agriculture. Through Career Development Events, Career Fairs at different conventions, and local workplace learning, members can experience different companies in the agriculture industries. Many of our own Carthage FFA members have stayed in the agriculture field and are currently everything from large animal vets, pipeline welders, and field representatives for different companies (just to name a few).”
3. What things can you do in FFA?
FFA has an option for everyone. The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth, and career success training through agricultural education. Just a few things that FFA provides students includes: an introduction into science, business, and technology, career preparation, student leadership, programs and activities, National FFA Convention & Expo, National FFA Alumni Association, education, career exploration, and industry support. Like many things in life, FFA is what we make of it. The more time you put into it, the more you will get out of it.
4. What is the purpose of FFA?
Mauss said, “In my opinion, the purpose of FFA is to develop competent, competitive, and dynamic leaders for the agriculture industry. The FFA is structured so its members can become leaders at any level of the organization that they set their mind to. There are some members that know from day one that they want to be the State FFA President and lead their state’s FFA Convention. For others, their greatest accomplishment may be that Chapter Proficiency Award that will hang on their wall forever because it’s their greatest treasure. Whatever the case may be, each student that is involved in FFA will come away as a better leader in one way or another.”
There are a lot of questions from non-FFA members about the organization and the people that make it up. The best way to answer those questions is with the truth so they can see the magic that is FFA.
We cover the FFA unlike any other website out there. See all of our FFA stories and videos here.
