FFA Members Why are We Here? – Part 2

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As we move into part two of this mini-series, we’re definitely getting into the heart of why our organization exists and the purpose of school-based Agricultural Education programs. As a reminder of where we are and where we are headed, here is the response from our Opening Ceremonies:

“To practice brotherhood, honor agricultural opportunities and responsibilities, and develop those qualities of leadership which an FFA member should possess.”

It may seem self-evident that a core purpose of our work in school-based Agricultural Education programs and within our FFA Chapters is to “Honor agricultural opportunities and responsibilities”. Yet, the richness of this phrase and purpose deserves deeper investigation.

In the context of this sentence “honor” is used as a verb with a charge to our members and us as advisors. Here is how Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the use of “honor” as a verb:

1) a. to regard or treat with admiration and respect

1) b. to give special recognition to

2) a. to live up to or fulfill the terms of

2) b. to accept as payment

As we look at these definitions we should take note of a few key themes. First, to honor starts with the action of giving notice of that which is worthy of honor. Second, honor is the fulfillment of a promise or responsibility. So, how can these forms of honor show up in our Agricultural Education classrooms? Below are just a few reflections on those possibilities, but these are by no means an exhaustive list and truly the context and needs of our communities will drive the opportunities and responsibilities we may choose to highlight.

Honor Agricultural Opportunities:

  • Career Exploration:
    • Agricultural opportunities are abundant and the labor data from O*Net shares that it is an industry that will see many career areas grow ‘Faster Than Average’. Being intentional about sharing these career opportunities throughout the courses offered is crucial to providing exposure for students who may still be looking for what is next after graduation.
    • Fortunately, we have numerous tools in the toolkit for helping us provide career exploration for our students, here are just a few resources below:
  • Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs):
    • I’d be completely remiss if I did not mention SAEs as a part of our Honoring Agricultural Opportunities. By helping students engage in a personally meaningful agricultural experience WILL CHANGE LIVES! I wouldn’t believe it if I had not seen it play out countless times before my eyes! SAEs are more than just about building experiences for awards or recognition…it can serve as the vehicle by which many of our students’ can answer their WHY?
    • SAEs are only limited by our imagination! An area that is worthy of much more attention for SAE growth and development is the Agriscience SAEs. Especially, in this era of a return to basics, homesteading, and local food systems movement; the opportunities and needs for sustained research for small-scale, specialty producers is high. Unfortunately, these kind of small-scale research initiatives are not always prime target areas for dedicating research resources towards. However, the possibility to partner and help students dig into some local research topics is almost endless! Below are some links that could yield more resources:

Honor Agricultural Responsibilities:

  • Responsible for What?:
    • Responsibility is a hard word. It is easy to say, yet much harder to live out. When we are responsible for something, there is a weight, an accountability for ensuring the work gets done and done well. What are our responsibilities in agriculture that accompany our opportunities?
    • I would charge that the responsibility of agriculture and us as agriculturists is to provide a safe, secure, and sustainable food and fiber supply for all of us today and our many tomorrows. This is no small responsibility and definitely not one meant for only a small number of us. I truly believe that as School-based Agriculture Education programs our mission within this responsibility is greater than it has ever been in any generation. Not only are we tasked to prepare the next generation for agricultural careers, but we are a critical connection of agricultural literacy to a society that is craving to learn more about their food and where it comes from.
  • Champion for Agriculture — Our Responsibility:
    • In light of our above core responsibility, as we live that out in our communities and within our School-based Agricultural Education programs; our mission and responsibility involves being a Champion for Agriculture!
    • Championing a cause, an idea, or a mission is not for the faint of heart. It means that what you say must be rooted in who you are and what you truly believe; because Champions are not measured by their words, but by their deeds. If we truly believe that Agriculture is a vehicle for not only personal change in students’ lives, but fulfills a critical human need for daily quality of life, how is our Agriculture program doing that and how are we helping guide and lead that? I don’t measure Champions of Agriculture by the awards hanging in their classrooms or the recognition garnered on a stage — I measure it by the personal stories of students who discover opportunity and are so moved by responsibility towards serving others through agricultural pursuits.
    • When that is the fuel that drives us, it will light a flame that cannot be extinguished, regardless of the challenges we face, regardless of the no’s we may hear, or the “that’s not possible” refrain. Being a Champion of Agriculture is seeing the possibilities, seeing the connections, and seizing the opportunities! Not for our own glory, but so that upon our shoulders, our efforts a new generation may rise and reach higher than we could have ever hoped for. By accepting our responsibility and doing this great task in our classrooms and in our community each and everyday we are changing the world and NEVER forget that.

Friends, this has been a fun journey so far and we are over half-way through our Summer Mini-series! Next week, we will dive into the last part of this question, “FFA Members why are we here?” from our Opening Ceremonies as we uncover the leadership qualities an FFA member should possess!

Have a wonderfully blessed weekend and hope to see many of you at the K-ACTE Conference in Manhattan this coming week! Till then, thanks for reading, reflecting, and sharing your passion for our youth and Agriculture!

Take care & Forever Blue/Gold, Anthony

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