Program Insights Briefs FFA Convention & Expo

FFA National Days of Service: 2020 Impact

Data was collected from participants in the FFA National Days of Service, including a survey of 2019 participants about their attitudes toward volunteerism. Economic impact was calculated using Independent Sector's value of a volunteer hour.

Key Points

  • 8,014 volunteers from 340 chapters across 45 states and Puerto Rico logged 24,321 hours of service in 2020
  • The effort produced $661,531 in economic impact, up $492,727 from 2019
  • 95% of FFA members agreed volunteering is essential for their personal growth
  • 94% agreed volunteer work is an important activity
  • Participants rated the virtual event 4.5 out of 5 stars

National Days of Service is an annual opportunity for FFA members attending the National FFA Convention & Expo to give back through service projects at sites around the host city. In 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, FFA launched the first-ever nationwide National Days of Service. Throughout the month of October, 8,014 volunteers representing 340 chapters from 45 states and Puerto Rico logged 24,321 hours of service.

8,014 student volunteers created $661,531 in economic impact

Most of the volunteers were FFA members, and FFA advisors participated as well. The collective effort produced an economic impact of $661,531 nationwide.1 What’s more, the participants enjoyed their time spent at their respective service projects: FFA members and adults alike rated the virtual event 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Year Economic Impact
2018 $173,324
2019 $168,804
2020 $661,531

FFA members believe volunteerism is essential

We asked FFA members about their volunteerism. FFA members agreed or strongly agreed that…2

  • Volunteering my time is essential for my personal growth (95%)
  • I volunteered because I wanted to (84%)
  • Volunteer work is an important activity (94%)
  • Participation in the activity is essential to the host site (91%)

What FFA members say

“I learned how dependent food banks are on volunteer work.”

“Helping out the local community is important for all.”

“I learned that a lot of effort goes into events. I became more grateful for events I’ve attended because I learned about volunteers’ hard work to accomplish them.”

How FFA chapters get involved

The opportunity for FFA members and chapters to make a difference is year-round in FFA. Through the Living To Serve program, FFA chapters can apply for grants that fund service activities and utilize the interactive toolkits on FFA.org to plan community service and service-learning projects.

For more information, contact ndos@FFA.org | Visit FFA.org/national-days-of-service

Footnotes