Official FFA Student Handbook The Big Picture

1. Official FFA Student Handbook The Big Picture

2. Opportunities in FFA • Lead • Travel • Earn Money • Be Part of the Team • Civic Engagement • Succeed • Make Positive Choices • Have Fun

3. Three Circle Model • Instruction • FFA • Supervised Agricultural Experience

4. FFA Premier Leadership Personal Growth Career Success Three Pillars of the FFA Mission

5. FFA Mission FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

6. Bricks in the FFA Pillars

7. FFA Motto Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve. 12 powerful words

8. FFA CREED By Erwin Milton “E.M.” Tiffany I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds - achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years. I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny. I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturists to serve our own and the public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil. I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining; in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so--for others as well as myself; in less need for charity and more of it when needed; in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends upon me. I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.

9. FFA Creed Paragraphs 1 and 2 I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds - achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years. I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny.

10. FFA Creed Paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturists to serve our own and the public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil. I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining; in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so--for others as well as myself; in less need for charity and more of it when needed; in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends upon me. I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.

11. Only Blue Will Do Significance of the Blue Corduroy Jacket: • The most recognizable symbol of the FFA Organization • Allows members to be on an even playing field when participating in various FFA events. • Legacy began in Fredericktown, Ohio • Today more than 66,000 blue corduroy jackets are sold to FFA members each year.

12. Official Dress for Female Members • Official FFA jacket, zipped to the top • Black skirt: Skirt is to be at least knee length, hemmed evenly across the bottom, with a slit no higher than two inches above the knee, excluding the kick pleat. • White collared shirt • Official FFA blue scarf • Black closed heel and toe dress shoes (no boots, sandals, open-toed shoes or tennis shoes), worn with black nylon hosiery

13. Official Dress forMale Members • Official FFA jacket, zipped to the top • Black slacks (no jeans) • White collared shirt • Official FFA tie • Black dress shoes (no boots, sandals, open-toed shoes or tennis shoes) worn with black socks

14. FFA History

15. Milestones • 1917 - Smith-Hughes Vocational Education Act • 1928 – National Organization of the Future Farmers of America was formed

16. First Leaders • Dr. Charles Homer Lane, First National FFA Advisor • Henry C. Groseclose, First National FFA Executive Secretary and Treasurer • Harry Oscar Sampson, Founder of the Young Farmers Organization of New Jersey • Harvey Owen Sargent, Co-Founder of New Farmers of America • G.W. Owens, Co-Founder of New Farmers of America • J.R. Thomas, National NFA Advisor • David Simmons, First National NFA President

17. New Farmers of America • Started in Virginia in 1927 • Official colors were black and gold • Emblem was similar to the FFA emblem, featuring a boll of cotton instead of a cross section of corn

18. New Farmers of America • 1965 - New Farmers of America merged with Future Farmers of America

19. Women Join FFA • In 1969 FFA opened membership to females • 1976 first female to hold a national office, Julie Smiley from Washington

20. Women Join FFA • Now females hold more than half of the leadership positions with in FFA chapters.

21. Name Change • As members’ needs changed and evolved with time, the Future Farmers of America adopted many new programs and activities to meet those needs. • By the early 1980s, the Future Farmers of America was recognized as more than an organization for rural farm students. • In 1988, the delegates at the 60th National FFA Convention voted to change the official name of the organization from Future Farmers of America to the National FFA Organization to reflect the changing demographics of its membership. • These changes illustrated an increased emphasis in the business, science and technology of agriculture in addition to production farming and ranching.

22. Convention Locations • The first national FFA convention was held in 1928 in Kansas City, Mo. • After 71 years in Kansas City, the national FFA convention moved to Louisville, Ky., in 1999 for the 72nd annual convention. The national convention remained in Louisville until 2005. • In 2006, the 79th National FFA Convention was held in Indianapolis. • In 2013 the convention will being to rotate between Louisville and Indianapolis every 3 years.

23. Convention Locations • 1928 - 1998 Kansas City, Mo. • 1999 – 2005 Louisville, Ky. • 2006 – 2013 Indianapolis

25. Organizational Structure National FFA Organization has three significant levels to its structure: • Local • State • National

26. FFA Colors National Blue – for the blue field of our nation’s flag Corn Gold – for the golden fields of ripened corn

27. The FFA Emblem Cross section of corn represents ‘Unity’ Whether you live in Alaska, Puerto Rico, Maine, Hawaii or one of the states in between, corn is grown somewhere in your state. This agriculture crop signifies unity, and, from the first Thanksgiving feast on, corn has historically served as the foundation crop of American agriculture. It is appropriate then that the cross section of corn be used as the foundation of the national FFA emblem. Rising sun signifies ‘Progress’ Just as the industry of agriculture has developed new technologies and evolved to meet the next generation of consumer demands, the National FFA Organization has continued to evolve as well and continually looks to the future to meet each member’s needs. The rising sun signifies progress and holds the promise that tomorrow will bring a new day, shining with opportunity.

28. The FFA Emblem Plow signifies ‘Labor and Tillage of the Soil’ The National FFA Organization is an organization founded in agriculture, the backbone of our country. The plow signifies labor and tillage of the soil and the historic foundation of our country’s strength.  Eagle symbolizes ‘Freedom’ The eagle is a national symbol which reminds all FFA members of our freedom and the ability to explore new horizons for the future of agriculture.

29. The FFA Emblem Owl represents ‘Knowledge’ Long recognized as a symbol of wisdom and knowledge, the owl symbolizes the knowledge required to be successful in the industry of agriculture. Agricultural Education and FFA The words Agricultural Education and FFA are emblazoned in the center of the emblem to signify the combination of learning and leadership necessary for progressive agriculture.

30. FFA Degrees • Discovery FFA Degree • Greenhand FFA Degree • Chapter FFA Degree • State FFA Degree • American FFA Degree Visit ffa.org for the latest requirements listing

31. Types of FFA Membership • Active FFA members – those who are enrolled in an agriculture course and have paid their membership dues. • Collegiate FFA members – also belong to FFA chapters at colleges and universities where they are enrolled in agriculture courses. • Alumni membership – is open to anyone interested in supporting and promoting agricultural education and FFA. • Honorary membership – is given to individuals who have provided outstanding service to FFA and agricultural education.

32. FFA Code of Ethics FFA members conduct themselves at all times to be a credit to their organization, chapter, school, community and family. As an FFA member, I pledge to: 1. Develop my potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success. 2. Make a positive difference in the lives of others. 3. Dress neatly and appropriately for the occasion. 4. Respect the rights of others and their property. 5. Be courteous, honest and fair with others. 6. Communicate in an appropriate, purposeful and positive manner. 7. Demonstrate good sportsmanship by being modest in winning and generous in defeat. 8. Make myself aware of FFA programs and activities and be an active participant. 9. Conduct and value a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program. 10. Strive to establish and enhance my skills through agricultural education in order to enter a successful career. 11. Appreciate and promote diversity in our organization. Adopted by the delegates at the 1952 National FFA Convention. The Code of Ethics was revised by the delegates at the 1995 National FFA Convention.

33. Chapter Leadership Responsibilities

34. Chapter Leadership President • Preside over meetings according to accepted rules of parliamentary procedure • Appoint committees and serve on them as an ex-officio, nonvoting member • Coordinate the activities of the chapter and evaluate the progress of each division of the POA • Represent the chapter in public relations and official functions

35. Chapter Leadership Vice President • Assume all duties of the president if necessary • Develop the POA and serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the POA committees • Coordinate all committee work • Work closely with the president and advisor to assess progress toward meeting chapter goals

36. Chapter Leadership Secretary • Prepare and post the agenda for each chapter meeting • Prepare and present the minutes of each chapter meeting • Place all committee reports in the Secretary’s file • Be responsible for chapter correspondence • Maintain member attendance and activity records and issue membership cards • Have on hand for each meeting: a. The Secretary’s file b. Copy of the POA including all standing and special committees c. Official FFA Manual and the Official FFA Student Handbook d. Copy of the chapter constitution and bylaws

37. Chapter Leadership Treasurer • Receive, record and deposit FFA funds and issue receipts • Present monthly treasurer reports at chapter meetings • Collect dues and special assessments • Maintain neat and accurate treasury records • Prepare and submit the membership roster and dues to the National FFA Organization through the state FFA association office in cooperation with the secretary • Serve as chairperson of the finance committee

38. Chapter Leadership Reporter • Serve as chair of the POA public relations committee • Plan public information programs with local radio, television, newspaper and service clubs and make use of other opportunities to tell the FFA story • Release news and information to local and regional news media • Publish a chapter newsletter or website • Prepare and maintain a chapter scrapbook • Send local stories to area, district and state reporters and to any specific duties and responsibilities for each school publication • Send articles and photographs to FFA New Horizons and other national and regional publications • Work with local media on radio and television appearances and FFA news • Serve as the chapter photographer

39. Chapter Leadership Sentinel • Assist the president in maintaining order • Keep the meeting room, chapter equipment and supplies in proper condition • Welcome guests and visitors • Keep the meeting room comfortable • Take charge of candidates for degree ceremonies • Assist with special features and refreshments

40. Chapter Leadership Advisor • Supervise chapter activities year-round • Inform prospective students and parents about the FFA • Instruct students in leadership and personal development • Build school and community support for the program • Encourage involvement of all chapter members in activities • Prepare students for involvement in career development events (CDEs) and leadership programs

41. Chapter Leadership Additional Officer a Chapter Might Elect: Historian • Develop and maintain a scrapbook of memorabilia in which to record the chapter’s history • Research and prepare items of significance of the chapter’s history • Prepare displays of chapter activities and submit stories of former members to the media • Assist the reporter in providing photography for chapter needs

42. Chapter Leadership Additional Officer a Chapter Might Elect: Parliamentarian • Be proficient with parliamentary procedure • Rule on all questions of parliamentary conduct at chapter meetings • Serve as a participant or an ex-officio member of the parliamentary procedure team • Conduct parliamentary procedure workshops at the chapter level • Chair or serve as ex-officio member on the conduct of meetings committee

43. Chapter Leadership Additional Officer a Chapter Might Elect: Chaplain • Present the invocation at banquets and other functions. • Coordinate FFA participation at local area churches during National FFA Week. • Conduct reflections services at summer camps and conferences.

44. Arranging the Meeting Room P = President S = Secretary A = Advisor VP = Vice President T = Treasurer R = Reporter Meeting Room P R S T A VP

45. Meeting Responsibilities - President - presides over meetings, appoints and serves on committees, and coordinates activities of their chapter • - Vice President - assumes the duties of the President if needed, develops the Program of Activities, and coordinates committee work

46. Meeting Responsibilities - Secretary - prepares and posts agendas & minutes, is responsible for chapter correspondence, and maintains member attendance and activities • - Treasurer - is in charge of FFA funds, collects dues, and presents treasurer’s reports

47. Meeting Responsibilities • Reporter - serves as Program of Activities public relations committee chair, releases news to local media, and publishes a chapter website or newsletter • Sentinel - maintains order, keeps meeting room and supplies in order, and welcomes guests • Advisor - supervises chapter activities, informs students and parents on FFA and builds community support

48. Official Chapter Meeting Ceremonies • Official Opening Ceremony • Official Closing Ceremony • Degree Ceremonies • Honorary Member Ceremony

49. Successful FFA Chapter

50. Essential Components of a Successful FFA Chapter • FFA Knowledge • Membership Diversity • Shared Responsibility • Capable Officers • Challenging Program of Activities • Workable Constitution and Bylaws • Proper Equipment and Records • Well-planned, Regularly-held Chapter Meetings • Adequate Financing • School and Community Support