Q: National FFA Week is a great opportunity for members to give back to their communities. What advice would you give to chapters about how to select meaningful service projects for FFA Week?
Get involved in your community to see what the need is right now. One of the biggest challenges our country is facing is nutritional insecurity, so maybe you help support local initiatives that cover those types of issues. Every community is different, and that’s why our country is so unique and incredible. Get into your community, take a needs assessment and determine how you can best support those around you through an act of selflessness and service.
–Cole Baerlocher, National FFA President
Take a moment to dive in and understand your individual community’s needs and focus your efforts on that. If you see that something your community faces is food insecurity, then serve at the local food bank. If you feel agriculture is something you struggle with promoting, then host industry tours. Ultimately, spend time reflecting on what exactly your community needs and work to serve those needs.
–Jackson Sylvester, National FFA Secretary
It’s so easy to assume needs are being met within your local town, so you’ll have to find that need. This may include organizing a food drive to restock your local food pantry or making blankets for the local elderly home. Once you’ve identified the need, develop a plan to accomplish your chapter’s goal — and work hard to achieve it. All will benefit, including your community, your chapter and you as an individual.
–Cortney Zimmerman, Central Region Vice President
I think chapters should start by remembering the impact people have had on their lives. Whether it’s something little like showing someone an act of kindness or simply giving someone food, these small acts make a big difference. Remember the things that you needed when you were down and when you were at a time in life when you needed help. Start there, and know that whatever you decide to do matters.
–Erik Robinson Jr., Southern Region Vice President
Selecting any meaningful project begins with an honest needs assessment. This ultimately looks different for each of us. In my home chapter, Bend FFA, we started by considering what our community needs the most. We’d then determine how we could effectively move the chapter in a way that’s reasonable for our members, but also meaningful to our community and fulfill the designated need.
–Josiah Cruikshank, Western Region Vice President
Addressing the need in your local community starts by taking the time to ask community members what they think the community needs. FFA members have the opportunity to fill that gap and be leaders in their communities. Even if it takes a little while to prepare the work, it’s still important to understand what it is their community truly needs and address the core of any issues present in their community.
–Mallory White, Eastern Region Vice President
