10 Ways FFA Made Us Better
High school registration is a nightmare if you have a teenager who wants to do everything. One of our challenges when signing up our oldest for classes was trying to fit in an agriculture class so she could be a part of FFA. She made some adjustments to her schedule, put in extra effort to make it work and realized she would have to stop some things. But she would tell you it was worth the extra effort.
I suspect if other young people knew what FFA really is and what it isn’t – they’d go to extra lengths, too.
You can’t fit FFA in a box.
It’s not just farming or welding or raising livestock or public speaking or growing vegetables. It’s a nearly limitless opportunity for young people to figure out who they are and what they want to do in life. It’s cutting-edge, innovative, empowering and most importantly, fun.
In a world where more and more young people are glued to electronic devices and missing out on community, FFA offers connection, hands-on learning and adult mentors to invest in their lives.
Need more convincing? Here are 10 lessons Farm Journal employees learned through FFA that they use every day.
10. Everything always works out how it’s supposed to.
9. There’s value in a good handshake and eye contact.
8. Be confident in your own abilities, and also those around you, to achieve your goals.
7. Find someone to look up to and listen to what they have to say.
6. Read the instructions and don’t forget to sign your name.
5. It’s ok to shake in your boots a bit.
4. Influence isn’t about position, it’s about heart.
3. Keep trying new things until you find your “sweet spot.”
2. Failure stings, but it makes us better in the end.
1. To be the best, it takes top-tier effort. A little bit of preparation will yield good results, but a lot of preparation and study will always yield better results.
Editor's Note: The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 850,000 student members as part of 8,995 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org and on Facebook and Twitter.
Read More of our Favorite FFA Stories:
4 Ways FFA Shaped My Life for the Better
Texas Tornado Destroys Ag Shop, But Doesn’t Stop FFA Members From Helping Community
FFA Has-Been? No, Your Role Just Changes
Teenager Who Survives Brain Cancer Raises Over $30,000 for St. Jude Showing Pigs
Ag Teachers: When Someone Believes in You
Lucky Penny Sells for $17,000 in OYE Night of Stars Gilt Sale
