If you’ve ever attended an FFA convention, you’ve been in the presence of a passionate group of agricultural superheroes.
I’ve let their importance pass by even myself. I was a member of a local chapter in Franklin, Ind. As a nontraditional agriculture student, I initially viewed the leadership camp and culture center as just a building down the road. But as the years passed, I became more involved and truly realized how special this organization was. Through the team at FFA, I created memorable experiences that shaped my life and guided me to my current position at BASF, a multinational chemical company and FFA donor.
This incident is not isolated to me — there are hundreds and thousands of others whose paths have crossed with FFA and were changed for the better. And for that, we have the incredible leaders within Team Ag Ed to thank.
They don’t boast their status, and they may not be awarded the accolades they certainly deserve, but their behind-the-scenes passion to support and better members shines bright. They are the wheels that help the FFA turn, create strong leaders, and help support state foundations that champion members. This group is not limited to solely agriculture teachers or current FFA members — the team includes sponsors, policymakers, parents, mentors and more who all make it their mission to be a catalyst of the Blue and Gold.
Consisting of leaders and volunteers who understand the value of agricultural education and the incredible opportunities afforded through the corduroy jacket, the state FFA foundations are committed to creating opportunities for members, agriculture teachers, sponsors, stakeholders and more.
Having had the privilege of working with several state foundations in several roles as a contributing sponsor, donor, active member, volunteer, and board member, I have seen their value, work ethic, and efforts firsthand.
State foundation staff members are generally buried deep in organizational charts, but their development efforts provide the much-needed fuel to help make dreams come true. Their magic happens behind the scenes, cultivating a community of like-minded individuals. They assist with raising money for conventions, contests, leadership development programs, FFA projects and scholarships.
In addition to the capital they raise, they bolster relationships with subject matter experts, who provide professional insights, networking assistance, and best practice knowledge for our members and teachers. The experiences they coordinate are at the heart of the FFA; without them, the program would lack intrinsic leadership development and networking opportunities like the National FFA Convention & Expo, which they assist in putting on.
While they may hear the word “no” more frequently than “yes,” the state foundations remain vigilant. They are rarely discouraged when pursuing opportunities or finding other ways to support our members.
We asked an important question, shared with us by Tom Ziglar, the son of motivator Zig Ziglar, who serves on the Texas FFA Foundation Board of Directors:
“What is the opposite of gratitude?”
Ziglar responds, “The opposite of gratitude is entitlement.”
As state FFA associations and state agriculture educators evaluate their opportunities, we implore you to think thoroughly about your state FFA foundation’s role in the lives of your students, members, teachers, sponsors, and stakeholders.
Similar to how student members and educators are taught to become great stewards of our natural resources and care for animals, vegetation and water resources, we have to be stewards of our organization. We challenge all members and supporters of all levels of FFA programming to bond together and support our collective mission through the below actions:
- Educators, share this important role with your students and encourage them to find ways to support your state FFA foundation.
- Students, consider doing a community service project or fundraising project that helps support your foundation’s efforts.
- Sponsors, let your state FFA foundation staff know you recognize and appreciate their critical role in Team Ag Ed’s overall operations.
- Policymakers, assist in approving valuable agriculture education-focused legislation and support keeping ag education within schools.
- Parents and family members, continue supporting your local FFA foundation and share with your children how important FFA can be for their future.
Anyone can make an impact, no matter how small the action may seem. Through a combined front of support, you’re putting words into action and assisting the FFA foundation, which works tirelessly to make the next generation smarter, stronger and more resilient. Not only are they hidden figures, but they are also working to create opportunities for a better tomorrow.
