While the letters “FFA” stand for Future Farmers of America, FFA is not just for students who want to be production farmers. FFA also welcomes members who aspire in numerous other careers, such as teachers, doctors and scientists.
According to Kelsea Jones, an agriculture science teacher and FFA Advisor at Frenship ISD in northwest Texas, the wonderful thing about Texas FFA is there is something for everybody.
“No matter if you live in downtown Houston or in Wolfforth Texas, FFA has a program for you to learn, grow, and prepare for a future in agriculture,” she says.
Solving Real World Problems
The scope of agriculture is ever-changing, and Texas FFA and agricultural science classes have adapted to meet the demands of an evolving industry.
“Today’s agricultural education programs prepare students for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through the
Classroom instruction is coupled with students identifying, planning and conducting an SAE.
“These experiences look different for all and may include owning and operating an agricultural business, working for an agricultural enterprise, raising livestock, cultivating crops, or conducting an agricultural research experiment,” she says.
According to Jones, SAEs help students connect the classroom to the real world. Programs offered like ‘Dairy Honors’ allows students to explore career opportunities and give them direct insight into a specific industry.
“’Dairy Honors’ is designed to help students explore various aspects of the dairy industry while giving them hands-on experience and internship opportunities,” Jones says.
Leadership and career development events allow students to learn how to conduct a meeting and present a well-developed speech to learn how to properly evaluate livestock.
“FFA guides students to become the next generation of leaders and agriculturalists that will feed and clothe the world,” Jones adds.
Valuable Life Lessons
Living by the FFA motto, ‘Learning to do, doing to learn, earning to live and living to serve,’ FFA members develop values of serving others, being humble and learning good sportsmanship skills.
“Members also learn the value of soft skills such as communication, financial management, confidence, time management, conflict resolution and networking skills,” Jones says.
Something for Everyone
Jones shares that what originally started as a program designed for farmers has adapted to encompass all areas of agriculture. Being the largest state in the U.S., Texas FFA membership differs throughout the Lone Star State.
“Some of the largest programs are located in urban areas. The success of these programs is due to the diversity of FFA which seeks to involve all in instruction,” she says.
Regardless of where the FFA chapter is located, Jones says that Texas FFA strives to stay abreast and continue to offer programs to prepare students for the world of agriculture.
“From business and marketing to research and development, there are many facets of agriculture for one to be a part of,” she says.
Jones, who grew up in a very urban area, says her ag teacher, Mr. Bill Binder, installed the courage and determination to learn, advocate and educate individuals about agriculture where there was a disconnect between farm and form.
“Especially in an urban area,” she says. “He inspired me to make a difference in others’ lives as he did mine. Then through my experiences in college at Texas Tech University and connecting with agriculturists, I found my way to agricultural education during my master’s and found a deeper love for agriculture and making connections with people than I already had through student teaching and my career was history from there.”
Coming full circle, Jones says the highlight of her job often comes after the students have been out of school and return to tell her about what they now are accomplishing with their lives.
“It is humbling to hear how the FFA helped shape them into the person they are today and how it has helped them succeed in their current career,” she says.
Jones says FFA is truly making a positive difference in the lives of her students, in her community and state.
“And in our great nation,” she says. “It is helping to close the gap of agricultural knowledge that students are lacking.”
