Once a year, the last week in February is National FFA Week. At many schools, FFA chapters participate in a dress-up week and activities that are ag-centered. It is a week to recognize the members and advisors of FFA, and to show the community what this organization does.
FFA stands for the Future Farmers of America. It is a national organization that helps students learn about agriculture, leadership, and career opportunities. Members can show livestock, help run a farm, compete in judging contests, or simply be in an agriculture class. FFA also offers special programs called LDEs (Leadership Development Events), CDEs (Career Development Events), and SAEs (Supervised Agricultural Experiences). LDEs help students focus on building leadership skills through activities like public speaking and teamwork. CDEs are contests that help improve skills that may be needed for careers, such as judging livestock, evaluating soil, or giving speeches. SAEs allow students to gain hands-on experience by working on farms, raising animals, or managing agriculture projects.
For many members, FFA Week is about honoring agriculture and sharing its importance with others. Ryleigh Meier explained, “We celebrate FFA Week to honor the legacy of the farmers in America and the future behind it.” She believes FFA plays an important role in both the school and community. “The FFA program is great for the community because we get to serve them in many ways, such as at the pancake breakfast and offering our plants from the greenhouse,” she said. Ryleigh’s favorite part of FFA is participating in judging groups and meeting new people at events. She joined FFA because it offers opportunities that will help her after high school.
FFA Week has dress-up days all week to help promote FFA, such as ‘Merica Monday, farm animal day, FFA pride, camo Day, country vs country club, best tractor brands, and dress like a farmer day, but Potosi FFA calls it “Brad Day” after sophomore Brad Retallick
Ava White shared that FFA Week is also about spreading awareness. “For publicity to make it known to the community about FFA, celebrate the knowledge and benefits from FFA. Even though it is educational, it is still fun,” she said. Ava believes FFA is extremely important not just for the local community, but for the entire country because of the many skills students can learn. Although she originally joined because her sister was a former member, she now appreciates the positive impact FFA has on her family and community.
FFA Week also has several agricultural-themed activities each school day, including, but not limited to, apple bobbing, milk chugging, musical chairs, dodgeball, drive your tractor to school day, and a day-on-the-farm relay race. In previous years, there have been pie-eating contests, hay-bale tosses, and pigs in pudding searches.
For Harmony Reynolds, FFA Week is a time to recognize agriculture’s value and introduce it to new people. “It is important to recognize why agriculture is important, introduce it to new people, and teach them about it,” she said. Harmony believes FFA is important because not everyone grows up with an agricultural background. “It teaches people more about agriculture and gives many people new career fields and opportunities,” she explained. Her favorite activity in FFA is soil judging, and she joined FFA because of her love for agriculture and her desire to learn more. She encourages others to join, adding that FFA is “a great opportunity for new people.”
Through leadership events, competitions, and community service, FFA prepares students for future careers while growing the connection between schools and their communities. FFA Week is more than just a celebration; it is a reminder of the important role agriculture plays in everyday life in our area, and the bright future ahead for its members.