FFA is a student organization for agriculture education students founded in 1928. It focuses on leadership, personal growth, and career success through activities like Career Development Events (CDEs), Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), camps, conferences, and chapter activities. Some key CDEs include public speaking, mechanics, and livestock evaluation. SAEs allow students to gain experience in areas like crop production, veterinary science, and land management. The official FFA colors are corn gold and national blue, and members can earn degrees recognizing their leadership and involvement.
2. FFA is.. A student organization founded in 1928 The largest student organization in the U.S. Open to any agriculture education student Promotes leadership, scholarship, citizenship, patriotism, service, and FUN!! Focuses on 3 areas of leadership, personal growth, and career success
3. What does the FFA do? CDEs SAEs Camps/Conferences/Conventions Chapter Activities Section Activities
4. What the heck is a CDE? CDE stands for Career Development Event There are about 18 CDEs every year These are contests where each chapter brings a team and compete against other chapters. CDEs are at the section level (chapters in our area), district level (chapters in our region of the state), state level (chapters in Illinois), and national level (one chapter per state)
14. Ag Communicat Ag Education Ag Mech Design Ag Mech Energy Ag Mech Repair Ag Processing Ag Sales Ag Services Aquaculture Beef Production Beef Placement DairyProduction Dairy Placement Div Ag Prod Div Crop Prod Div Crop Place Div Horticulture Div Livestock Pr Div Livestock Pl Electrical Tech Emerg Ag Tech EnviroSci Nat Res Mgt EquineSciEntr EquineSci Place Fiber/Oil Crop Pr Floriculture Food Sci/Tech Food Service Forage Product Forest Mgt Fruit Product Grain Prod Grain Prod Place Home/Com Dev Landscape Mgt Nursery Opp OutdoorRec Poultry Prod Safety Sheep Prod Sm Animal Care Spec Animal Pr Spec Crop Prod Swine Prod Swine Prod Pl Turf Grass Mgt Vegetable Prod Wildlife Mgt Ent Wildlife Mgt Pla Vet Technology
15. What about these camps, conventions, and conferences? Leadership Camp – End of July at Allerton Park for 4 days of amazing fun and learning. State Convention – Every June in Springfield to see your chapter get up on stage for awards and meet other FFAers from all over the state. National Convention – Every October in Indianapolis for 4 of the most jam packed amazing days of your life!
16. What about these camps, conventions, and conferences? Made For Excellence Conference(MFE) – Every January in Chicago where you learn about leadership. This one’s just for Fresh/Soph. Farm Bureau Youth Conference (FBYC) – In April in Decatur for Soph/Juniors who want to learn more about citizenship, civic duty, and farm bureau. Washington Leadership Conference (WLC) – A whole life changing week in DC during the summer learning more that you thought imaginable!
22. Can Anyone be a member? There are four types of membership in FFA Active – Students in Ag Ed Alumni – Parents and community members who want to support FFA Collegiate – students in Ag who are in college Honorary – Anyone who has shown exemplary support of FFA
23. I’m interested but do I have to wear the jacket? The FFA jacket is a symbol of integrity and respect. It is an honor to wear the jacket (and HOT) Jackets should be worn only with official dress
24. Official Dress? Official Dress (OD) consists of: White button up shirt w/ collar Scarf or Tie Black slacks or skirt Black pantyhose (sorry boys, girls only) Black dress shoes Jacket zipped to the top always Only three pins may be displayed on the jacket Should never be worn with any other brands on it Dry Clean ONLY!
25. Sounds like lots of symbols. That’s only the beginning! Our most powerful symbol is the FFA Emblem
26. Symbols of the FFA Emblem The FFA emblem was designed with much thought and meaning. It is made up of five symbols.
27. 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.
28. Symbols of the FFA Emblem The rising sun. It symbolizes progress in agriculture and the confidence that FFA members have in the future.
29. Symbols of the FFA Emblem The plow. It is a symbol of labor and tillage of the soil.
30. Symbols of the FFA Emblem The owl. It symbolizes wisdom and knowledge.
31. Symbols of the FFA Emblem The eagle. This is symbolic of the national scope of the FFA.
32. 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.
37. Star Greenhand Each year a Greenhand is selected to receive the Star Greenhand Award. The requirements are: Must be an active first year member. Must demonstrate leadership skills. Must have an SAE program.
38. Other requirements for the Chapter FFA Degree include: Having an SAE program. Earning and productively investing $150, at work or at least 45 hours outside of class time in a SAE program. Effectively leading a group discussion for 15 minutes. Demonstrating five procedures of parliamentary law. Showing progress toward individual achievements in the FFA award program. Having a satisfactory scholastic record. The Chapter FFA degree pin replaces the greenhand pin on the FFA jacket. It is a silver emblem of the FFA.
39. Two members of the Chapter FFA Degree recipients may be chosen as stars. The Chapter Star in Agribusiness has an outstanding agribusiness SAE. The Chapter Star Farmer has an outstanding production agriculture SAE.
40. Requirements for the State FFA Degree include: Must hold the Chapter FFA Degree. Must be an active member for at least 2 years. Complete at least 2 years of agriculture courses. Earn and productively invest at least $1000, or work at least 300 hours outside of class time in an SAE program. Be able to demonstrate leadership ability by: 1. Performing 10 procedures of parliamentary law. 2. Giving a six-minute speech on FFA or an agriculture topic. 3. Serving as an officer, committee chairperson or participating committee member.
41. State FFA Degree Members receiving the State FFA Degree are presented with a gold emblem charm during a ceremony at their state FFA convention. The State FFA Degree charm replaces the silver Chapter FFA Degree pin on their jacket.
42. Who are those people at the front of the room at meetings? The FFA has elected officers that run the chapter. President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Reporter Sentinel Historian
43. That’s a lot to absorb, anything else? Well, so glad you asked! Only a few more things Meetings are the 4th Tuesday of every month at lunch. Our first meeting is open to new members. We will be giving a free membership as a door prize. On September 18 the officers will be doing a Greenhand workshop. Free food and games and extra credit
