National FFA State Officer Programs: Supporting the 2020-21 State Officers
Findings are based on multiple National FFA surveys of the 2020-21 state officers, including the State Officer Exit Survey, the Combined Basecamp and Checkpoints Survey, the ILSSO Survey, and the State Officer Summit Survey.
Key Points
- 371 state officers served the 2020-21 term; 64% were in college during their term of service.
- Officers from 47 states and Puerto Rico completed 119 Base Camp and Checkpoints trainings, with high effectiveness ratings across skill categories such as team dynamics (89%) and conversation skills (87%).
- 110 state officers participated in a virtual ILSSO, with 94% reporting increased agricultural literacy.
- At the State Officer Summit, officers conducted 112 legislative visits and 94% felt more confident in their ability to advocate.
- 81% of state officers plan to pursue a career in agriculture, with animal systems as the top focus area (26%).
Supporting state FFA officers
While each state FFA officer’s journey is different, the National FFA Organization supports states and their officers through a blended learning model that includes face-to-face training experiences, digital and print resources, and online education—all of this to guide in the development of world-ready leaders.
Who are they? The 2020-21 state FFA officers
Three hundred and seventy-one state officers served the 2020-21 term. During their terms, 64% of these officers were in college, while 15% were high school seniors, 11% were business owners, 9% were taking a leave of absence from school to serve as state officers, and 2% were high school juniors or younger.1
Setting a strong foundation for an effectual year of service
Officers from 47 states and Puerto Rico completed 119 trainings with National FFA and within their states; these trainings were Base Camp and Checkpoints. Focus areas of Base Camp and Checkpoints included sound character, positive influence, professionalism, time management, conversation skills, public speaking, effective communication, team dynamics and workshop facilitation. We asked attendees five questions related to each category and the workshop’s effect on it. At least…
- 89% of attendees said the workshop was extremely effective for all five questions in the team dynamics category.2
- 87% of attendees said the workshop was extremely effective for all five questions in the conversation skills category.2
- 86% of attendees said the workshop was extremely effective for all five questions in the public speaking category.2
- 72% of attendees said the workshop was extremely effective for all five questions in the workshop facilitation category.2
- 66% of attendees said the workshop was extremely effective for all five questions in the effective communication category.2
Understanding global citizenship at the International Leadership Seminar for State Officers (ILSSO)
In 2021, 110 state officers participated in a virtual ILSSO experience. Attendees told us that after ILSSO, they understood the characteristics of a global citizen (96%) as well as the foundational principles of diversity (90%). Ninety-four percent of attendees say that ILSSO increased their agricultural literacy.3
“I have truly learned the value of being an agricultural advocate. Through my experiences, I have learned that issues facing people and agriculture are global issues, and it takes the next generation of leaders to change it.”
2021 ILSSO participant
Advocating for agriculture at the State Officer Summit
State officers attending the State Officer Summit in Washington, D.C., conducted 112 legislative visits. Ninety-four percent of state officers said that they are more confident or significantly more confident in their ability to advocate than before the summit.4
Highlights included a tour of Arlington National Cemetery, a bus tour of monuments concluding at the Lincoln Memorial, and free time to explore Washington, D.C. Ninety-six percent of state officers were somewhat or extremely satisfied with the site visits.
Making an impact as state FFA officers
In the average month:1
- State officers delivered 1-7 workshops, reaching up to 100 participants through each workshop.
- State officers delivered 1-7 speeches, reaching up to 100 audience members through each speech.
- State officers gave 1-7 media interviews.
- State officers conducted 1-7 advocacy/legislative visits.
- State officers attended 1-2 community service events.
Tracking growth with state FFA staff over a full year
National FFA utilizes a growth index to provide state FFA staff insights into their state officers’ self-reported growth in 11 key areas. State officers are prompted to assess their skills at the beginning of their year, at the midpoint and at the end. With this tool, National FFA provides state FFA staff with a mechanism to assist state officers in their growth and development.
Engaging in the industry of agriculture after office
We asked the 2020-21 state officers at the end of their term about plans to pursue a career in agriculture. This is what they told us:1
- 81% plan to pursue a career in agriculture.
- 10% are unsure.
- 9% do not plan to pursue a career in agriculture.
Twenty-six percent of state FFA officers pursuing careers in agriculture are interested in a career in Animal Systems. Animal systems, agricultural education and agribusiness systems are the top career focus areas of those planning to pursue a career in agriculture.
