Small Town News

FFA grooms Leaders

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In a world deprived of agricultural knowledge, there is a thriving organization full of vibrant youth leaders ready to learn, grow, and educate.

This group of young individuals is recognized as the FFA. It may stand for Future Farmers of America, but that doesn't mean you have to live on a farm, know the farm life, or even want to be a farmer. So many fun and intense competitions, called Career Development Events, are offered in this club, from Ag Mechanics to Creed Speaking, and from Forestry to Parliamentary Procedures. This hands-on learning teaches you about real world business, being confident, careful evaluation, and the agricultural industry. As a fact, agriculture supplies around 22 million jobs in the U.S., yet fewer than two million Americans are actually actively engaged in farming. Now can you honestly tell me that you aren't connected to an agricultural life?

If you like tough competition, you can find it in the CDE's that FFA has to offer. Four of them were mentioned in the first paragraph, but there are at least 26 events I can name off, but I know there's more! A few are Ag Sales, Livestock Judging, Food Science, Ag Issues, Environmental and Natural Resources, Marketing, Horse Judging, Business Management, Floriculture, Job Interview, Landscaping, even Scrapbooking!

These competitions will take you on some of the most fun trips you'll ever remember around Washington, Idaho, Oregon, maybe more states. Then, if you succeed in placing first or second in State, you have the chance to compete at the National FFA Convention back in Indianapolis, Ind. A handful of the Quincy FFA members are making the long awaited trip to Nationals this fall, and we are all amped up for it! Some of us went to Leadership Conference this past spring where we had a blast with tons of other FFA teens from schools all around Washington. We got to meet new friends, laugh too much, gain more confidence, bond with each other, and learn some amazing leadership qualities. State FFA takes place on the WSU Campus in Pullman. I must say I went for the first time this past spring and will never forget it! We saw some fascinating competitors, met incredible people, made unforgettable memories, experienced some thrilling workshops and shows, explored the campus, and had fun every second we were there.

But hey, who has time to go all these places doing these fun competitions when you're in High School and trying to pay off new expenses like vehicles, gas, insurance, sports equipment and other items, but you aren't able to get a job? Well, FFA has a solution for you. Along with those CDE's there are SAE's, or Supervised Agricultural Experiences. You can make money by raising animals and selling them. Many members in the Quincy chapter raise sheep, cattle, and swine to show and sell at the Grant County Fair each year. I sold my market lamb this year and made over $400, and that's after I subtracted expenses! To raise a livestock project, we buy the animal, purchase feed for it, work with it, care for it, find a buyer and take it to fair. Not only did I make money, I got to spend all week at the fair and rodeo with my friends, and when I showed

my lamb I placed 7th out of 106 lambs in Market and got Reserve Champion Showman in the senior class, then won Round Robin Showman. How exciting is that?

There is honestly no end to the enjoyment and personal growth you can have in the FFA program. All you need to do is take part in everything possible. The more you do, the more you see just how great it really is! Ask any of us who are active in the program, we'll tell you all you want to know and share our experiences and memories with you. If you sit back and don't involve yourself, just like any other activity! it's hard to really enjoy it. People from all different backgrounds are included in this organization and no one will be turned away. The only requirement is an Ag class at the High School, it's that simple. Earn money, meet new friends, and be with friends you already have, make memories, and learn about businesses and agriculture in a fun and exciting way; join FFA!



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© 2011 The Quincy Valley Post-Register Quincy, California. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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