Many think that you must live on a farm or care for animals to be in the National Future Farmers of America Club (FFA). This isn’t true at all. FFA helps students develop leadership, personal growth, and agricultural education to succeed in their future careers.
Agriculture Science teacher Mrs. Myken Poorman advises the club. She enjoys teaching students about the entire agriculture industry, not just farming.
“FFA will open opportunities that students never knew existed while teaching them lifelong skills they can use in all areas of life,” Mrs. Poorman said.
The club also participates in Career Development Events, leadership conferences, and other local activities. This gives members of the club an idea of career opportunities and how to work in certain agricultural fields.
“I plan on continuing our family farm. I have always looked up to my Pap and he inspired me to want to continue farming,” senior Noah Weaver said.
Taking over a family farm is a great way to stay involved with agriculture, but it’s not just about farming, agriculture is a large field with many opportunities to choose from.
“There are over 24 CDEs nationally, covering skills in everything from public speaking, landscaping, animal science, mechanics, to business, marketing, and many more,” Mrs. Poorman said.
FFA teaches students leadership and communication skills. Being a leader is a great way to get involved more in the club.
“Leadership is not recognized as control, but rather as skill and guidance. I tend to express this in a way of helping when needed, and filling the role of vice president,” Senior Dilyla Hockenberry said.
While she is not thinking of continuing on an agricultural path, she enjoys the experience and opportunities the club has to offer.
“I chose to take leadership in the club because it was something that means a lot to me and I wanted to contribute to the club in a bigger way,” Noah said.
Senior Alannah McNichol, the treasurer of FFA, enjoys learning and experiencing new things in the club each day. While she isn’t going to college for agriculture, she has enjoyed her time in the club throughout the years.
Although Mrs. Poorman did not choose to advise this club and it came with the job, she loves it. She is not from a farm or any type of agricultural background, but she knows that without agriculture we wouldn’t be alive.
So no, FFA isn’t just about farming or animals, but about the skills you learn while experiencing agriculture and the way it shapes us all today.
