Celebrating National FFA Week
For many of us in rural parts of the country, agriculture roots run deep. Generations of families have invested their livelihoods tending to crops, raising livestock, and feeding millions through the bounty of their hard-earned harvest. Arkansans are certainly no stranger to this way of life. In the Natural State, we recognize how deeply important the agriculture industry is, not only to our own pocketbooks, but the success and sustainability of our country’s economy. American agriculture is unparalleled in its innovation, growth, and success which is why organizations like FFA, Future Farmers of America, are so important.
It was a great honor to be a member of the Fountain Lake High School FFA local chapter and later serve as the Arkansas State FFA President. During this time, I learned important lessons through wonderful instructors like Mr. Albert McCoin, who ensured his students gained as much as they possibly could through classroom teachings, technical education, and leadership opportunities. Mr. McCoin also taught us, through his own example, just how valuable it is to be a hard worker and a dedicated leader. And his personal challenge to participate in public speaking and leadership opportunities would later factor into my service as the Representative of the Fourth District of Arkansas, something for which I will always be grateful. From learning how to tie a tie to what cutlery to use first in a formal dinner, FFA taught us important life lessons, not just in the agriculture industry, but to set us up for success in any of our career paths.
The timing of National FFA Week is not just a random week that was selected on the calendar, it was intentionally chosen in 1948 to fall upon President George Washington’s birthday in honor and recognition of our first President’s contributions to our nation’s agriculture industry. President Washington didn’t see himself first as a great leader, general, or even president. He saw himself first as a farmer. His life was dedicated to learning more about farming, creating a better agriculture industry to bolster the country’s output of crops and livestock, and developing more successful farming methods. This is an excellent reminder for us that our nation was built upon the backs of farmers. Washington’s dedication to farming remains a great influence on how FFA members conduct their own affairs and upon which the organization sets its values.
“Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve” is the motto adopted by the FFA in 1952 which has held firm today, over 70 years later. There is no better reminder just how important it is to continue learning, developing, and serving. As the demand for the earth’s bounty increases and technology advances in agriculture and forestry, there is a strong need for a technically educated workforce with hands-on experience. There’s no more important time for strong vocational and technical education programs at the high school level than today. My hope is that these programs grow stronger and that the students whose lives are enriched by the FFA organization would take part in every opportunity presented to them, develop their skills and knowledge to the best of their ability, and boldly press forward with a heart for service toward their communities. This week, may we all be grateful to FFA for their dedicated service in cultivating excellent leaders for our nation and the future of farming and agriculture.
