INDIANAPOLIS (Saturday, April 22, 2023/National FFA Organization) – The National FFA Organization is aware of circulating photos showing a student wearing a costume associated with a symbol of hate with the FFA Emblem in the background. Racial harassment, discrimination, hate speech, or degradation of any kind will not be tolerated.

The National FFA Organization does not condone this behavior and the photos are contrary to the FFA Code of Ethics and the FFA Value statements taught to all members.

National FFA has enacted the National FFA Bias and Incident Response Protocol which provides a process to comprehensively and collaboratively address incidents of bias, discrimination, and other incidents that are not congruent with the FFA mission, values, and expectations.

We support the local school administration’s investigation and are confident they will take appropriate actions concerning those involved.

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 850,000 student members as part of 8,995 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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About National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 850,000 student members as part of 8,995 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org and on Facebook and Twitter.

About National FFA Foundation
The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations, and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders, and support the future of agricultural education. Governed by a 19-member board of trustees composed of educators, business leaders, individual donors and FFA Alumni, the foundation is a separately registered nonprofit organization. About 82 percent of every dollar received by the foundation supports FFA members and agricultural education opportunities. For more, visit FFA.org/Give.