FFA is a national organization that was founded in 1928. It reaches from the state of Alaska to Puerto Rico, and from the state of Maine to Hawai`i. FFA is home to over 1 million active members from all around the United States and its neighboring territories. FFA is open to every student taking an agriculture class, no matter what their background or future plans may be.
Every FFA member is different, but we can agree on one thing: we love this organization and it means a lot to us. We know what FFA means to ourselves, but have you ever wondered what it means to others? This article features the stories of six different FFA members, advisors and state officers from across the country that tell us about what FFA means to them.
Jennica Williams is from Fort Cobb-Broxton in Oklahoma.
Jennica Williams
“I’ve been involved in agriculture since the moment I was born, and have many family members involved in agriculture, FFA and showing livestock,” says Jennica Williams from Oklahoma. “I have been showing goats since I was five years old, and participate in speech competitions and livestock judging. I’m currently serving as my chapter’s president.
“FFA means everything to me; I dreamed of being in the program since I was in elementary school. I’ve made so many friends through FFA, and had many experiences that I would have never been able to do without FFA. It has made me the person I am today, and helped me to gain the skills any member of society should be exposed to.”
Braxton Watts is from El Dorado Springs, Mo.
Braxton Watts
“I’m serving as one of the Missouri FFA state vice presidents,” says Braxton Watts. “I hail from the Southwest District and the El Dorado Springs FFA Chapter in Area IX. Some of my current Supervised Agricultural Experiences include agricultural communications, where I help lead a nationwide intern team called MyFFAExperience, as well as raising Shropshire market lambs, agricultural education and agriculture services.
“FFA to me means taking a cross-country trip. You can speed on through the states to your destination, or you can take the time to explore new places, new friends new atmospheres. No matter how you travel, each trip is its own unique experience!”
Kaitlyn Houghton is from Ozark, Mo.
Kaitlyn Houghton
“I am a senior from the Ozark FFA Chapter located in Ozark, Mo.,” says Kaitlyn Houghton. “I have always had a love for agriculture, spending time growing up on my families farms. I joined FFA my freshman year of high school, and doing so strengthened my love for agriculture even more. I am currently serving as my chapter’s second vice president, and as the Area XII first vice president. This is my third year holding a chapter office, and my second holding an area office.
“I have competed in dairy cattle evaluation, where my team placed fourth at state, as well as a state livestock evaluation team. Last fall, I competed in prepared public speaking, where I placed first in area and second in districts. This spring, I plan on competing in equine evaluation and extemporaneous speaking. My Supervised Agricultural Experiences include small animal care and production, outdoor recreation, agricultural communications and agricultural education.
“To me, FFA means taking chances that you never thought you would take, whether it be competing in a contest you’ve never done before, running for an office, applying for an academy or meeting new people. Every chance that you take within this organization leads to a new path. Sometimes taking that path can be scary, but once you take those chances and follow down the path, you’ll see that all the steps you took were more than worth it.
“FFA also means to me perseverance and joy. It means picking yourself up after a failure; instead of giving up, you work hard, and you come back stronger and better then before. The joy comes from finally earning your next degree, placing in a contest, doing your first line dance or laughing with strangers. FFA means a positive place to grow your garden by taking the experiences that you’ve been through, the failures and the victories, the laughs and tears, and the lessons you’ve learned. Then, you use them to plant a seed in your garden, so once you take a step into the next chapter of your life, that seed will continue to grow and guide you through your life.”
Ms. Emily Hance is from Licking, Mo.
Ms. Emily Hance
“I’m the agricultural science teacher and FFA advisor for the Licking FFA Chapter located in South Central Missouri,” says Ms. Emily Hance. “I am in my second year of teaching agriculture and really enjoying teaching introductory agriculture classes (Ag 1 and 2).
“As an advisor, I love FFA simply because it’s a place for all students to find a sense of community and expand their horizon of knowledge and leadership. I love that FFA creates various opportunities for personal growth and leadership development for students through a wide variety of events and activities at all levels of FFA. What FFA means to me is more than just an organization; it’s a place for students of all walks of life, whether you grew up on a farm or not, to come together through personal growth, serving others and sharing a desire for agriculture.”
Christian Schafer is from Grand Rapids, Minn.
Christian Schafer
“I am a senior in high school from the Grand Rapids FFA Chapter in the North Star State of Minnesota,” says Christian Schafer. “This year, I am serving as my chapter’s vice president, as well as the Minnesota FFA Region II vice president. In my FFA career, I have engaged in two major Supervised Agricultural Experience pathways, including natural resource systems and agricultural education.
“FFA means a lot of things to a lot of people. In my four years in this organization, I have seen and experienced firsthand the unique impact that this ‘farming club’ has on students with and without agricultural career interests. As a freshman, I came into high school shy, lost and often fighting with my own mental health. At first, I expressed no interest in FFA because of its inaccurate portrayal as a club solely for farm kids. Only after heavy encouragement from student leaders in my home chapter did I decide to try it out — a decision that shaped me into who I am today. FFA relies on its students as the primary deliverers of growth to other members. Once grown up, the receiving students reciprocate these leadership lessons back to their peers, starting a wonderful cycle of selflessness.
“To me, FFA is a vision. A vision that all students, regardless of their background, can have the opportunity to transform themselves into their best selves. A vision that, through agricultural education, a majority of the American population will understand and value the vital natural resources that are so graciously available to us. A vision that young entrepreneurs will hold the creativity needed to innovate a sustainable and nutritional world into fruition.
“This vision, which is shared by countless FFA members, is our hope for the future. Collectively, through our uniquely influential cycle of student leadership, FFA members aspire to create a positive future for all American farmers, all non-traditional agriculturists and all rural and urban citizens. FFA is shaping the future of agriculture and the future of American life.”
Taryn Dunivan is from Ozark, Mo.
Taryn Dunivan
“I have been in FFA since my sophomore year; I am so sad that I didn’t start when I was a freshman,” says Taryn Dunivan. “I love riding horses; I got to ride horses on the beach this summer in Florida. I have been riding since I was three with my papa and grandma. I love spending time with family and friends, and I love to play corn hole at family events.
“I’m now a junior in high school in Ozark, Mo. I used to go to Blue Eye School, but I moved when I was a freshman. I am currently serving on my chapter’s junior high school committee. I have competed in FFA knowledge, fall speaking and I’m doing horse evaluation this spring.
“FFA means a lot to me because it’s more than just an organization; it’s a place where I’ve grown as a person. Through FFA, I’ve learned responsibility, leadership and the value of hard work. It’s helped me build confidence, form lasting friendships, and discover passions I didn’t know I had. I love FFA because it pushes me to be my best, while giving me a sense of belonging and pride in everything I accomplish. FFA has brought me so many friends I never thought I would ever get. You meet new people all the time. FFA is life changing, and I would encourage anyone and everyone to be in it!”
What Does FFA Mean to You?
Throughout their years spent in this organization, these individuals have found what FFA means to them. These members, teachers and alumni have taken what this organization means and will carry it with them their years in FFA, and even the years after they retire their blue jacket. Each person has their own definition about what FFA means to them, and they have used it to help shape them and make them the person they are today.
After you read all of their stories, stop and think for a minute. What does FFA mean to you?
