By Austin Berenda

The FFA has been around for more than 90 years, and the organization is still going strong. While the FFA was founded by a small group of farm boys who happened to congregate at the American Royal Stock Show in Kansas City, Mo., the current organization encompasses more than agriculture. What used to simply be farm boys working cooperatively in their beloved production industry has now evolved into boys and girls from both agricultural and nonagricultural backgrounds working alongside one another toward a variety of goals.

FFA itself has become more inclusive over the years, and due to that fact alone, it has undeniably grown in size and scope. Yet the organization has held true to its initial founding throughout the duration of its expansion.

FFA focuses primarily on leadership development and personal growth of its members, but those skills are always sharpened in an ag setting. While we do focus on outreach and expansion, it is the support from our core industry that keeps us alive.

FFA sponsorship dollars come mostly from ag donors; most FFA success stories are publicized through rural radio stations or printed publications pertaining to farming, and most aspiring, young FFA members desire to find a career in the agricultural industry.

The progressive organization that is the National FFA Organization is always working to improve, diversify and expand its membership and the opportunities it provides for that membership in a variety of new ways. However, the support that upholds the organization is the same as was present on day one.

While it is our outreach and innovation that make us great, it is our backing and base that keep us stable. No matter where we go or what we incorporate into our organization in the future, we must always give due credit to the agriculture industry. It is what has allowed FFA to become what it is today.