agricultural education

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 [...]

A collaborative study between the National FFA Organization and Purdue University1 in 2018-19 explored the relationship between involvement in FFA and college and career readiness, representing the largest sample of FFA members to date in all existing published research on FFA members. Involvement in FFA is correlated with academic success. The three-component model of school-based agricultural education revolves around the integral relationship between classroom instruction, work-based learning through a supervised agricultural experience program, and membership in FFA. FFA does not exist without classroom instruction and school-based agriculture programs, in which student academic success is of high importance. This study provided the first baseline of FFA members’ academic success and revealed that FFA members possess academic scores that are higher than the national average. FFA members show higher ACT and SAT scores on average than the 2018 high school graduating class average. FFA members have a collective average ACT score of 23.5, compared to the national average of 20.8. FFA members have a collective average SAT score of 1152, compared to the national average of 1068. Additionally, [...]

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, [...]