FFA State Leaders

The National FFA Agriscience Fair recognizes students who gain real-world, hands-on experience in agricultural enterprises. Students use scientific principles and emerging technologies to solve complex agriculture, food, and natural resources problems. The agriscience fair is for middle and high school students. Participation begins at the local level and progresses to state and national levels. Number of Participants Continues to Grow Participation in the Agriscience Fair has grown steadily over time — except for the 2020 virtual event. 2016—593 participants 2017—724 participants 2018—759 participants 2019—778 participants 2020—637 participants (virtual) It pays to compete. $121,500 in total cash payouts was awarded to 162 winners recognized at the 2020 National FFA Convention & Expo. Outcomes for FFA Members We asked FFA members who competed in the National FFA Agriscience Fair in 2020 about their experience. After participating, at least 85% of FFA members1 told us that they… now have a better understanding of the scientific method have learned something about agriculture that they did not know prior to their project are more interested in studying in a scientific field [...]

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 [...]

When the new coronavirus (COVID-19) became a worldwide pandemic, National FFA events previously scheduled to take place in person had to transition to virtual events swiftly. This summer, two leadership and professional development trainings—with audiences spanning from in-service teachers to state FFA officers—still took place despite the limitations surrounding in-person gatherings. The National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA training took place in June, while the State Officer Summit took place in July. National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA Training: June 8-12 and June 15-19, 2020 2020 Format: Live Zoom sessions, pre-recorded video messaging and networking time in Zoom Typically, the National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA term begins with a summer training where ambassadors convene in Indianapolis in mid-June. Not only do ambassadors get to network and meet each other, but the training also provides an opportunity for ambassadors to learn about FFA educator resources and brainstorm how they will share the resources with their peers through interactive workshops. This essential training also outlines the expectations of the ambassadors. The team at National FFA executed virtual training—using Zoom—that took [...]

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 [...]

The new coronavirus (COVID-19) became a worldwide pandemic in early 2020, prompting businesses and organizations to close throughout the United States. Perhaps two of the most impacted groups by the closings and limits on social gatherings were teachers and students. When schools closed, many faced the challenge of transitioning to e-learning to finish the school year. Canceled conferences and events also impacted participants. National FFA took the following actions to ensure that the FFA mission was still being delivered to members and teachers in the wake of COVID-19: Educator Resources National FFA recognized the potential difficulty of moving all learning online in a short time. To help ease the burden on agriculture educators, FFA took actions ranging from providing the 2017 National FFA Student Handbook online for free to creating a guide on distance learning. Analytics1 revealed that the 2017 Official FFA Student Handbook (English) was one of the top 10 accessed educator resources in both March and April, along with supervised agricultural experience (SAE) videos, the generic activity worksheet for SAE videos, and SAE choice [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Program Overview: Description and Objectives The National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA are a group of agriculture educators currently in the classroom. They are trained to answer questions and provide training related to the various educational resources and experiences the National FFA Organization offers. A group of qualified teachers is selected each Spring to serve in the program from June to June. Additionally, to continue professional development, the program has grown to include mentor National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA. Through this added layer, support and professional development can be amplified to meet the needs of the program. “This role has transformed my outlook—turning feelings of burnout into renewed motivation through a supportive and collaborative network committed to agricultural education.” Emma Hendley, North Carolina Four Primary Objectives Guide the Program Answer questions from agriculture educators and provide them with training and regular communications related to the various educational resources and experiences National FFA offers. Provide relevant feedback from the educational field to National FFA. Serve as an advocate of the organization to teachers within home states and others [...]

A member’s level of involvement in FFA can vary widely—from not being involved in any activities to competing at the National FFA Convention & Expo. What barriers exist that prevent FFA members from being fully involved in FFA? The National FFA Organization and Purdue University surveyed high-school FFA members from 60 schools to help answer this question. Survey participants came from 60 FFA chapters—31 classified as being in a rural area and 29 in an urban area.1 There were 590 usable responses from current FFA members.2 Most responses (about 90%) came from members of urban FFA chapters. While this research study3 was not the largest study of FFA members in terms of the number of respondents, it was the most racially and ethnically diverse pool to date. This report focuses on levels of involvement in FFA across various demographics—including urban or rural classification—and conclusions that can be drawn about more highly involved FFA members. Forthcoming reports will focus on other aspects of this research study. How is involvement in FFA measured on a survey? The survey [...]

Washington Leadership Conference (WLC) inspires FFA members to become changemakers in their communities. Each day of the conference focuses on a different principle taught through the context of our nation’s capital: Explore, Encourage, Advocate and Serve. At the end of the week, members leave with a Living to Serve Plan they can implement in their communities. After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 2,000 FFA members from across the country attended WLC for one week in June or July of 2022. Attendees represented 587 different chapters across 45 states. At the end of seven weeks, 1,157 responses were recorded on a post-conference survey (67% survey completion rate). This document provides a high-level overview through the eyes of these FFA members who completed their survey and can be used to understand the life-changing experience that is WLC. For more information, email evaluation@FFA.org. After a two-year hiatus, the 2022 WLC nearly reached the outcomes of the 2019 conference. Attendance Compared to 2019 Measure 2019 2022 Registered Attendees 2,155 1,961 Living to Serve (Community Service) Plans [...]

Program Overview: Description and Objectives SAE for All was created to provide every student in agricultural education programs with access to invaluable work-based learning opportunities. This innovative delivery method ensures that no student is left behind in gaining practical, hands-on experience. Students can choose between two distinctive types of Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs) tailored to their interests and career goals: Foundational SAEs, which build essential skills and knowledge, and Immersion SAEs, which dive deeper into specialized, real-world agricultural experiences. The SAE for All certifications have truly empowered our teachers by giving them the tools, confidence and credibility to support every student in developing meaningful Supervised Agricultural Experiences. With this certification, our educators feel equipped to guide students not only through their SAE journey but also in preparing them for successful careers in agriculture and beyond. Bethany Matos, State FFA Executive Secretary, Arizona FFA Five Primary Objectives Guide the Program Provide training to state FFA staff, teacher educators and secondary agriculture educators on SAE for All to increase its implementation across the country. Certify state FFA staff, [...]

The Next Gen Conferences are a series of career-focused conferences centered around each of the eight Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR) Career Pathways.1 The most beneficial experience I had at the [Next Gen] conference was the persistent [advice] to do what I love and to find my why. I needed to be pushed to reach my full potential. Next Gen participant (2022) The National FFA Organization grows the next generation of leaders who will change the world. These future leaders can make a tangible impact on the problems facing the world and agriculture. National FFA uses conferences, workshops and other experiences to cultivate premier leadership, personal growth, and career success in FFA members. The FFA Next Generation (Next Gen) Conference equips students with the knowledge and skills to interest and prepare them for future careers in agriculture. The first Next Gen conference was held in Kansas City, Mo., in Feb. 2020. FFA members were immersed in experiences related to animal systems careers. The COVID-19 global pandemic halted plans for the conference series in 2021, but [...]