A CLOSER LOOK AT FFA

Future Farmers of America (FFA) is much more than an elective interest in school. It is a source to be applied to one’s life that will benefit and provide one with the necessary knowledge and experience to not only be successful but to thrive independently.

The National FFA Organization was founded in 1928 by Henry C. Groseclose, Edmund Magill, Walter Stephenson Newman and Harry Sanders, a group of adolescent farmers hoping to make an impact. It was that year on Nov. 20, that 33 delegates from 18 states gathered around at the Hotel Baltimore at 11th and Baltimore St. in Kansas City, MO. There the FFA organization was constructed.

Their quest was to prepare future generations of the challenges and obstacles that come with feeding and growing population. Because of their passion and hard work, it is well known that agriculture stretches far beyond just farming and livestock; it’s a science, it’s a business and livelihood, and it’s a form of art and precision.

“FFA is very beneficial because without farming, without farmers and agriculture we wouldn’t have food, clothing, or anything ever,” said Cordell FFA Chapter President Mckenna Wedel. “FFA has really taught me leadership skills and how to get the younger kids involved. Through showing [pigs] I have learned a lot of responsibility. I think this is a good way to be a part of an organization [apart] from athletics and things like that. I would encourage younger kids to get involved. It’s not just showing, there’s also welding, greenhouse management, shooting sports, and speeches; there’s a lot of other things you can do as well.”

The National FFA Organization is a youth leadership-based organization that creates a positive impact in the lives of the younger generation. A difference that will stay with them for many years and well into adulthood by evolving their potential for premier leadership, self-development and a successful future career through agriculture education.

Paul Harvey, an American Radio Broadcaster, gave the speech “So God Made A Farmer” at the 51st Future Farmers of America Convention in Kansas City in November 1978. In that speech he said, “God said, ‘I need somebody willing to get up before dawn, milk cows, work all day in the fields, milk cows again, eat supper, then go to town and stay past midnight at a meeting of the school board’.”

Former Cordell FFA Chapter Treasurer, Nocona Cook embodies this sentiment. He was involved with this paramount organization in high school from 1999 through 2004. He continued his membership into college until 2007 when he was named a finalist for Star Farmer of America.

“Some of the best lessons I learned through my time in FFA were, hard work and persistence will always pay off in the end and never be afraid to be a leader,” Cook stated. “I set a goal my 8th grade year to be the Star Farmer of Oklahoma, which is FFA’s version of a state championship. Through hard work and dedication throughout my high school career, I achieved that goal in 2004. There is no doubt that being an active member and using the lessons I learned in FFA helped me reach that goal. FFA is also great at producing leaders in their communities. The leadership qualities and public speaking skills I learned in the FFA have definitely helped me get to where I am now. As the fire chief, a school board member and a member of the Oklahoma Board of Agriculture, I absolutely use the skills I learned in FFA on a daily basis. I never could have imagined in high school I would be in the positions I am currently in but I credit the FFA, in a large part, for preparing me when the opportunities arose.” FFA reaches far be

FFA reaches far beyond local students. Celebrities such as Taylor Swift, FFA Chapter in Hendersonville, Tennessee and Tim McGraw, FFA Chapter in Start, Louisiana were active members in this highly educational and advantageous organization. Chris Kyle, who was a United States Navy SEAL sniper, was a former FFA officer who showed cattle and exemplified the values of this organization.

“I would encourage everyone in school to be a member of the FFA. The FFA provides so many different opportunities to students to learn, not only about agriculture but about being a productive member of society. The FFA is not just about showing an animal as many thinks. It gives kids the opportunity to learn how to be good public speakers and how to be good leaders. FFA offers so many different programs for kids to enjoy like shooting sports, livestock showing and judging, speech contests, horticulture, ag mechanics, and so many more. I can honestly say that I would not be the person I am today without the influence the FFA had on me,” said Cook.