OMAHA (DTN) -- Millions across the country are celebrating National FFA Week, which runs until Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.
This event gives the organization's more than one million members, as well as alumni and supporters, the opportunity to come together with the common goal of sharing FFA's value and impact from their own hometown.
In an interview with DTN, FFA's National Advisor Dr. Travis Park, said National FFA Week gives students agency in making a difference.
"I love seeing the celebration pieces of National FFA Week, the appreciation shown to ag teachers, to alumni, to supporters on social media and locally. The attitude of gratitude makes a difference in our young leaders' development," Park said. "Understanding they have some agency, and they can make a difference in addressing needs is powerful for their development as leaders."
The National FFA organization works to develop young leaders through classroom instruction in agriculture education, leadership opportunities and hands-on learning, known as Supervised Agriculture Experiences (SAE).
In August 2024, the organization reached a record-breaking milestone of having more than one million members. Utah, Florida and Alaska are three of the states that have shown the largest membership percentage growth that year. Of the United States, Texas, California, Georgia and Florida have the highest FFA membership numbers. As of now, FFA comprises 1,027,000 student members as part of 9,235 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
"Celebrations are important for the culture of any organization or community, and it gives us a moment to pause and reflect. We don't succeed on our own, and National FFA Week gives us an opportunity to stop and pause and celebrate those people who have helped us in our leadership development, it's a rejuvenation," Park said. "Nearly all of our one million FFA members across the country are engaged in special celebrations. This week reinvigorates the system to get ready for spring leadership conferences and competitions and shows."
As celebrations and activities across the country ensue, Park especially appreciates Wednesday's celebration: Advisor Appreciation Day.
"We take one day during National FFA Week to celebrate our teachers. Their work doesn't go unnoticed. They are the engine that drives education and FFA, they are the lifeblood of this organization providing opportunities to students," Park said.
GET INVOLVED
Until Saturday, Feb. 22, these are the upcoming opportunities to get involved and celebrate FFA.
-- Thursday, Feb. 20 is Give FFA Day, a day dedicated to raising money to support FFA and agricultural education on local, state and national levels. Give FFA Day, in its 10th year, is aiming to raise $1.5 million this year to support special programs and events, blue jackets to students, supplemental travel costs for career and leadership opportunities and teacher support and resources.
-- Friday, Feb. 21 is Wear Blue Day, people are encouraged to show FFA pride by wearing blue, the color of the iconic FFA jacket.
-- Saturday, Feb. 22 is the last day of FFA week.
CHAPTER CELEBRATIONS
Across the country, local FFA chapters are participating in their own special events to commemorate the occasion.
-- The Norfolk FFA Chapter in Massachusetts will create quilts to donate to local care centers that serve expecting mothers and foster children as part of a fiber and agricultural education service project.
-- The Bergman FFA Chapter in Arkansas is setting up a petting zoo at its elementary school and kicking off a "Hunger Games" themed event where students compete to collect the most food for students in need.
-- The Odessa FFA Chapter in Delaware will continue its "Read to Lead" tradition, bringing FFA members into kindergarten through fifth-grade classes to read agriculture-related books to young students.
Susan Payne can be reached at susan.payne@dtn.com
Follow her on social platform X @jpusan
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