We are about to enter into the final post of our Summer Mini-Series on the answer declared in the Opening Ceremonies, “FFA Members why are we here?”:
“To practice brotherhood, honor agricultural opportunities and responsibilities, and develop those qualities of leadership which an FFA member should possess.”
So let me ask the obvious question, what qualities of leadership should an FFA member possess? This answer as we reflect back to the beginnings of our organization is a little more nuanced. I sent an email asking several FFA historians and archivists this burning question: was there a shared understanding of what leadership qualities were being addressed here?
Several responded back sharing that they had never considered the question and could not recall any specific references to leadership qualities that would be valued or prioritized for specific development. As I did a personal hunt through our Kansas FFA archives I too found fairly general responses for how our early Kansas FFA leaders described or elaborated on leadership. The earliest references to describing or identifying leadership qualities can be found in our February 13th and September 24th, 1930 Kansas FFA Newsletters (http://hdl.handle.net/2097/20017 ; http://hdl.handle.net/2097/20057).
In the February issue C.M. Miller, State Director, shared that there is a recognized need for leadership among the ranks of farmers for that time to confront the ever increasingly difficult challenges and problems facing agriculture. He emphasizes the tremendous value that FFA can serve in training leaders. What I appreciate, that even then in the infancy of our organization they recognized that leadership was something that could be cultivated in each member.
In the September issue Executive State FFA Advisor, A.P. Davidson describes Leadership as the ability to work with others. Further down you can find Leadership being associated with Debate and Speech Competitions as state objectives for local programs. We can insinuate from that verbiage and attention that leadership was closely associated with the ability to communicate effectively through oratory means.
Fast-forward and a quick peek in our 2025-2027 National FFA Manual p. 6 gives us a glimpse on the ‘qualities of leadership’ that we are developing in FFA members today, the components of Premier Leadership listed are: Action, Relationships, Vision, Character, Awareness, and Continuous improvement. (https://ffa.app.box.com/s/tyl30gz8c58r5b9e1jyqka5ms426gsln)
I have a strong sense that the founders of our organization would find these very much on the mark! As even a quick review of Miller’s statement about solving agricultural challenges could be connected to action, his view of training connected to continuous improvement. As for A.P’s early views of the ability to work with others we see the term relationships appearing in our current FFA manuals.
Eventually, it will be worth our time to dig into each of the components of Premier Leadership because they are each rich and packed with relevant application for us as FFA Members, Advisors, and community/industry partners alike!
As I finish reflecting on this mini-series I am drawn back to another endearing piece of FFA Tradition, these words from our FFA Creed, paragraph three, penned by E.M. Tiffany:
“I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others.”
These were some of the earliest words of our organization that references ‘leadership’ and it is powerful that E.M. Tiffany would highlight that self-leadership is the starting point for leadership. If we do not have the character to lead ourselves how could we hope to lead others? Yet, not all members will have the opportunity to serve as a Chapter, District, State or National Officer; yet ALL members will navigate through choices in life from their careers to families and it will require a degree of self-leadership to successfully navigate themselves through those seasons of life!
As we come to a close on this Summer Mini-series, I am compelled to ask one more time: “FFA Members why are we here?” In the start of this new school year, let’s hold tight to this question as we navigate planning for our program experiences, create connections for our students in the agricultural industry, and offer leadership opportunities to our members.
Thank you for reading and sharing! Hope you have a blessed start to a new week!
Take care & Forever Blue & Gold, Anthony
Perennial Educator 