Are you ready to celebrate FFA? Next week, February 15-22, is National FFA Week – the time to spread the word about an incredible program.
This year's theme is Ignite. It embraces more than 80 years of FFA traditions while looking forward to the organization's future. More than half a million members will participate in National FFA Week activities at local, state and national levels.
In 1947, at a National FFA Board of Directors meeting, the week of George Washington's birthday was designated as National FFA Week. Today, FFA Week always runs Saturday to Saturday and encompasses Feb. 22, Washington's birthday.
This is an opportunity for FFA members, alumni and sponsors to advocate for agriculture and for FFA. It's a time to share with local, state and national audiences what FFA is and the impact it has on its members daily who have a passion for agriculture.
"FFA week really shows how much members from around the nation appreciate our organization and how big it is as well as the impact it has in our communities," says Casey Campbell, Franklin Community High School FFA President. "While FFA is always in season, this week is an awesome opportunity to promote our chapter and the organization within our school."
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Today's FFA members are the innovators and leaders of tomorrow. Through agricultural and hands-on learning, they are preparing for more than 300 career opportunities in the food, fiber and natural resources industry.
Were you in FFA? Contact your chapter to see what you can do to help out during this week. Not involved when you were in school? It's never too late. Chapters love to have adult volunteers.
The Indiana FFA Center at Trafalgar also needs volunteers and donations to keep it running smoothly. Joe Park, Indiana FFA Center director, says the support he receives form individual and chapters not only helps the Center, but also creates enthusiasm for Indiana FFA. Contact him at jpark@indianaffa.org.
National FFA encourages you to stay connected, share activity ideas and tell others your stories by posting videos, pictures and comments on all their Social Media outlets. Be sure to use the hashtag #ffaweek14 on Twitter!