Alumni and Supporters

The American FFA Degree The American FFA Degree is the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization. It shows an FFA member’s dedication to their chapter and state FFA association. It demonstrates the effort FFA members apply toward their supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs) and the outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement they exhibited through their FFA careers.1 Community service, leadership abilities and outstanding scholastic achievement are among the essential requirements to earn the American FFA Degree. Members must also have been active members of FFA for the past three years, completed many hours of agricultural education classwork and be currently operating an SAE. The American Star Award From among those members receiving the American FFA Degree each year, National FFA annually recognizes FFA members who rise to the top with the American Star Awards. These members have gone above and beyond in their attitude, involvement, community service and SAEs. Finalists for these awards have mastered skills in production, finance, management and/or research.2 The Research The purpose of the research, which began in the fall of [...]

What Is FFA? FFA is an intracurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership. FFA develops members’ potential and helps them discover their talent through hands-on experiences, which give members the tools to achieve real-world success. The letters “FFA” stand for Future Farmers of America. These letters are a part of our history and heritage that will never change. Today, FFA members are future farmers, chemists, veterinarians, government officials, entrepreneurs, bankers, international business leaders, teachers and premier professionals in many career fields. What Is National FFA Week? Each year, FFA chapters around the country celebrate National FFA Week. It’s a time to share what FFA is and its impact on members. The week features designated days celebrating agriculture and FFA, including National Days of Service, Ag Teacher Appreciation Day and National Wear Blue Day. The first National FFA Week took place in 1948 when the National FFA Board of Directors designated a weeklong celebration from Saturday to Sunday. The week always encompasses George Washington’s birthday (Feb. 22) in recognition of his legacy as an [...]

What Is FFA? FFA is an intracurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership. FFA develops members’ potential and helps them discover their talent through hands-on experiences, which give members the tools to achieve real-world success. The letters “FFA” stand for Future Farmers of America. These letters are a part of our history and heritage that will never change. Today, FFA members are future farmers, chemists, veterinarians, government officials, entrepreneurs, bankers, international business leaders, teachers and premier professionals in many career fields. What Is National FFA Week? Each year, FFA chapters around the country celebrate National FFA Week. It’s a time to share what FFA is and its impact on members daily. The week is characterized by designated days celebrating agriculture and FFA, including National Days of Service, Ag Teacher Appreciation Day and National Wear Blue Day. The first National FFA Week took place in 1948 when the National FFA Board of Directors designated a weeklong celebration from Saturday to Sunday. The week always encompasses George Washington’s birthday (Feb. 22) in recognition of his [...]

Celebrating National FFA Week Locally Each year, FFA chapters celebrate National FFA Week. It’s a time to share what FFA is and its impact on members. From teacher appreciation events to school spirit days to service projects, FFA chapters celebrated the history and the future of FFA. This document provides both quantitative information and anecdotes from FFA chapters about FFA Week activities. For more information, contact evaluation@FFA.org. How an FFA chapter chooses to celebrate National FFA Week is completely dependent on that chapters’ members and advisor(s). However, common local FFA Week activities include but aren’t limited to1: Teacher appreciation Social media campaigns Service projects Engaging with alumni and supporters School assemblies School spirit days (i.e., “wear blue and gold day”) Recognition of Greenhand Degree recipients Fundraisers Most Chapters Reported Implementing Teacher Appreciation Activities and Social Media Campaigns During FFA Week Teacher appreciation: 80% Social media campaigns: 63% Service projects: 60% Alumni and supporters: 40% School assemblies: 40% Fundraising: 23% Other: 26% 2022 FFA Week National Days of Service 1,172 FFA members from 20 states completed 2,257 [...]

Each year, FFA chapters celebrate National FFA Week. It’s a time to share what FFA is and its impact on members. This February, members and chapter advisors celebrated FFA and served their communities, National FFA Officers visited with FFA chapters, and FFA Alumni and Supporters engaged on social media. Meanwhile, FFA partners and donors contributed to Give FFA Day, and National FFA staff celebrated at the National FFA Center in Indianapolis. This document provides quantitative information about FFA Week activities. For more information, contact evaluation@FFA.org. Celebrating National FFA Week Locally Many FFA advisors used the National FFA Week Implementation Guide to plan activities for their FFA chapters and schools during FFA Week. Analytics show that users accessed the guide 4,436 times as of March 2022, with most interactions in January and February. During FFA Week, visitors to FFA.org accessed the guide 516 times. Over National FFA Week, the FFA Week webpage on FFA.org was viewed 10,375 times. There are many possibilities for FFA Week activities, including: Teacher appreciation Social media campaigns Service projects Engaging with alumni [...]

FFA advisors and members across the country rely on FFA Alumni and Supporters to help support their chapters through the gifts of time, talent, and resources. How did FFA Alumni and Supporters’ experiences in FFA make them want to give back to the organization? The following findings are from a survey conducted in Spring 2023 through the Forever Blue Network. Alumni and Supporters attribute skills learned in FFA to their career success. Respondents identified the top five skills extremely influenced by their FFA experiences: Developing leadership skills, 63% Public speaking, 59% Building relationships, 53% Social skills, 49% Career preparation, 43% Did you know? 93% of surveyed FFA Alumni and Supporters report that FFA positively affected their career. 84% have worked in agriculture. Nearly 60% of those surveyed reported they are currently in a senior-level position or higher at work.1 What FFA Alumni and Supporters Say About FFA “FFA has been the sole powerhouse behind my lifelong commitment to personal and professional growth and has granted me a life full of happiness and love I would have [...]

National FFA is the premier youth organization dedicated to preparing its members for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology sectors of the industry of agriculture. Each year, the National FFA Convention & Expo provides an opportunity to conduct the official business of the organization; increase outreach and engagement; recognize members’ and stakeholders’ accomplishments; motivate and inspire members and stakeholders; provide educational training and networking opportunities; and expose members to trends impacting the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR) Value Chain. The 96th national convention and expo was in Indianapolis Nov. 1-4, 2023. Record-Breaking Attendance Attendees traveled from all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Total attendance reached 72,954 in 2023, up from 69,596 in 2022. 72% student attendees, including American FFA Degree recipients; career and leadership development event competitors; delegates; members; band, chorus and talent participants; national officer candidates, award finalists; and more. 28% adult attendees, including special guests; alumni and supporters; FFA staff; individual donors; corporate partners; advisors; state staff; exhibitors; media; award judges; honorary award winners; board members; and more. Entertainment Ninety-five [...]

A recent study by Purdue University, in collaboration with BASF and the National FFA Organization, focused on workplace attractiveness to 18-25 year-old FFA Alumni. There were five key dimensions used to measure the extent an individual is attracted to an employer: Interest value: An exciting work environment, novel work practices and that make use of its employees’ creativity to produce high-quality, innovative products and services. Social value: A working environment that is fun, happy, provides good collegial relationships and a team atmosphere. Economic value: Above-average salary, compensation package, job security and promotional opportunities. Development value: Recognition, self-worth and confidence, coupled with a career-enhancing experience and a springboard to future employment. Application value: An opportunity for the employee to apply what they have learned and to teach others, in an environment that is both customer-oriented and humanitarian. This document provides high-level findings that can assist in better understanding the generation currently entering the workforce. About the Participants in This Study: Generation Z (Gen Z) The 18-25 year-old participants1 in this study are classified as younger members of [...]

The FFA motto gives members 12 short words to live by as they experience the organization’s opportunities. Three of these words sum up the desire to help provide for one’s community: Living to Serve. Volunteerism in FFA In a 2021 survey of 10th and 11th graders in FFA, 74% of respondents who identified as FFA members said they volunteered1 in their schools or communities. A 2024 study of FFA members found that besides athletics, the activity that FFA members participate in the most is volunteering.2 Research shows that participation in structured activities and civic engagement, such as volunteering, leads to greater school engagement, which can inspire positive outcomes such as better grades, lower levels of depression, higher self-esteem, and decreased likeliness to be involved in risky behaviors. Structured activities and civic participation allow for positive interactions between youth and their peers and trusted adults, another beneficial outcome.3 Spotlighting Service in National FFA Programming National FFA encourages students to immerse themselves in service activities through structured programming at the national and local levels. National FFA Week (Spring [...]

Life membership is a one-time investment in the future of National FFA. It ensures FFA will be there to provide leadership training and experiential learning opportunities to generations of agriculturists. You’ll help us empower FFA members to exert an influence in their homes and communities. Benefits of Life Membership Life members receive a membership card, a membership certificate, a lifetime subscription to FFA New Horizons magazine, the ability to attend personal and professional development conferences and conventions, and additional member benefits. The true impact of a life membership to the lives of FFA members is through leadership scholarships. Nationwide Membership Supports Nationwide FFA Members In 2020, lifetime memberships allowed 42 alumni chapters and state associations to receive leadership scholarships to help current FFA members. Some states received up to $5,800 in leadership scholarships. Don’t see your state highlighted in green? Contact alumni@FFA.org. Life Membership Continues to Impact FFA Members—Year After Year The one-time cost to become a life member creates long-lasting impact for current FFA members, and here’s how: Life members contribute to an investment account [...]

What Is FFA? FFA is an intracurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership. FFA develops members’ potential and helps them discover their talent through hands-on experiences, which give members the tools to achieve real-world success. The letters “FFA” stand for Future Farmers of America. These letters are a part of our history and heritage that will never change. Today, FFA members are future farmers, chemists, veterinarians, government officials, entrepreneurs, bankers, international business leaders, teachers and premier professionals in many career fields. What Is National FFA Week? Each year, FFA chapters around the country celebrate National FFA Week. It’s a time to share what FFA is and its impact on members. The week features designated days celebrating agriculture and FFA, including National Days of Service, Ag Teacher Appreciation Day and National Wear Blue Day. The first National FFA Week took place in 1948 when the National FFA Board of Directors designated a weeklong celebration from Saturday to Sunday. The week always encompasses George Washington’s birthday (Feb. 22) in recognition of his legacy as an [...]

What is FFA? FFA is an intracurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership. FFA develops members’ potential and helps them discover their talent through hands-on experiences, which give members the tools to achieve real-world success. The letters “FFA” stand for Future Farmers of America. These letters are a part of our history and heritage that will never change. 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 more. What is National FFA Week? Each year, FFA chapters around the country celebrate National FFA Week. It’s a time to share what FFA is and its impact on members daily. The week is characterized by designated days celebrating agriculture and FFA, including National Days of Service, Ag Teacher Appreciation Day, and National Wear Blue Day. The first National FFA Week took place in 1948 when the National FFA Board of Directors designated a week-long celebration from Saturday to Sunday. The week always encompasses George Washington’s birthday [...]