From Blue Jackets to Ink Pens: Jenks FFA Bridges the Distance Between Chapters
The Jenks FFA Chapter’s whiteboard shows all of the letters it has received from fellow FFA chapters.
As an FFA reporter says during Opening and Closing Ceremonies, “FFA is a national organization that reaches from the state of Alaska to the Virgin Islands, and from the state of Maine to Hawaii.”
In a world increasingly dominated by digital pings and instant notifications, students in the Jenks FFA agricultural communications class are slowing things down to build meaningful, long-distance connections. This winter, the Oklahoma chapter launched a nationwide pen pal project, trading quick texts for thoughtful letters to engage with fellow FFA members across the country.
The initiative aims to bridge the gap between different agricultural landscapes while fostering a sense of national unity. By exchanging letters, Jenks FFA members are gaining a first-hand look at how FFA operates in different environments.
For instance, Jenks FFA member Sutton Brown recently reached out to members in Puerto Rico. In his letter, Brown shared a detailed look at his daily life in Oklahoma and asked insightful questions about the unique agricultural challenges and traditions found in the Caribbean.
He is not alone in this effort; more than 25 Jenks FFA members have picked up their pens, collectively reaching out to students in all 50 states. Some of the most highly anticipated responses are expected from chapters in Alaska, Hawaii and New York, where the contrast between urban and rural agriculture offers a wealth of new perspectives.
While the project is a fun way to meet new people, it serves a deeper academic purpose: boosting agricultural literacy and professional communication. This local initiative aims to teach members about stamps, rather than just typing on a keyboard.
In addition to writing letters to fellow Americans, they are also receiving letters from the students they are writing to. In fact, the chapter recently received over 15 letters stretching from Alaska to Puerto Rico, and even Hawai`i! It is incredibly exciting to hear and learn from other states about agriculture and see the similarities.
As these letters find their way into mailboxes across the country, they do more than just share stories; they weave a tighter web for the future of our industry. For Jenks FFA members, this project shows that while a few thousand miles might separate an Oklahoma cattle ranch from a Hawai`i pineapple plantation, the blue corduroy jacket creates a common ground that bridges any distance.
By the time the final stamp is canceled, these members will have much more than just pen pals; they will have a nationwide network of friends and colleagues who are all ready to lead the future of American agriculture together.
