Learn how our organization and the agriculture industry are similar (and different!) throughout the country.
SOUTHERN REGION
2023-24 National FFA Vice President: Carter Howell, Florida
Fast Facts:
- The agriculture industry directly or indirectly employs approximately 17.4% of Mississippi’s workforce.
- Alabama is home to more than 400 food production and beverage product establishments.
- North Carolina ranks in the top three states for Christmas tree, pork, trout and turkey production.
Opportunities & the Outdoors
Since 1849, the Arkansas School for the Deaf has provided academic and career-focused opportunities for students who are deaf and hard of hearing, including an FFA chapter for those interested in agriculture. During this year’s National FFA Week celebrations, 2023-24 National FFA President Amara Jackson and members of the 2023-24 Arkansas FFA state officer team visited the school in Little Rock, Ark., to learn about its FFA members and program opportunities.
Dig Into the School for the Deaf
Watch this video to learn more about the Arkansas School for the Deaf FFA Chapter and watch a special presentation of the FFA Creed in American Sign Language. ADD VIDEO HERE.
Mark Twain FFA, located in Jamestown, Tenn., considers the great outdoors a hands-on classroom. Thanks to a partnership with a local hunting lodge, the chapter raises pheasants and leads guided hunts. Members also process turkeys for Thanksgiving — one of which was donated to their state’s governor last year — raise pheasants, collect quail eggs, grow row crops and care for more than 14 livestock species on their 80-acre school farm.
CENTRAL REGION
2023-24 National FFA Vice President: Kanyon Huntington, Iowa
Fast Facts:
- Nicknamed the Sunflower State, the northwest part of Kansas is where most of the state’s crop is planted.
- Wyoming has the nation’s largest average size of farms and ranches. Farms and ranches in the state average 2,395 acres.
- Nearly 90% of North Dakota is used for crops and livestock.
Alumni & Aquaponics
The Greeley West FFA Chapter hosts an annual farm-to-table event in partnership with its Alumni and Supporters chapter. FFA members at this Colorado high school speak 27 different languages and the agriculture classroom has an emotional support animal named Bear.
In urban Wisconsin, Green Bay Southwest FFA members use six indoor hydroponics systems (known as Fork Farms) as well as aeroponics and aquaponics to grow approximately 35 pounds of lettuce per week. The chapter provides additional hands-on learning in the areas of honey production, orchard and vineyard maintenance and raising poultry.
EASTERN REGION
2023-24 National FFA Vice President: Morgan Anderson, Ohio
Fast Facts:
- There are about 75 farmers markets located throughout the state of Vermont.
- In Kentucky, Lexington is considered the Horse Capital of the World.
- Maine is the nation’s top producer of wild, also known as lowbush, blueberries.
Service & Science
For 93 years and counting, Penn Yan FFA members have found new ways to serve in their New York community. Each February, their “Souper” Bowl food drive event includes collecting and donating non-perishable items to The Living Well, a local charity organization. The chapter also recently partnered with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, which focuses on building and delivering beds to children and families.
Each year, Penn Yan FFA collects and donates non-perishable food items.
At the Hunterdon County Environmental Sustainability and Engineering Academy in Glen Gardener, N.J., FFA members can experience multiple facets of agriculture. This school utilizes natural resources and ecology-focused curriculum, and many members are involved in FFA agriscience research. To round out their education, seniors also conduct a capstone research project.
WESTERN REGION
2023-24 National FFA Vice President: Emily Gossett, New Mexico
Fast Facts:
- Washington farmers produce more than 300 different commodities, with apples being the state’s top commodity crop.
- September marks the beginning of chile pepper harvest season in New Mexico.
- Alfalfa hay is Nevada’s leading cash crop, and much of it is sold to dairy operations in surrounding states.
Kitchens & Kindness
As the food production and processing industry continues to grow in their region of Idaho, Hagerman FFA provides real-world opportunities for members to sharpen their skills. In the Academy of Agriculture and Food Science, which is part of the Hagerman Joint School District, members can learn from a food science teacher who has a background in culinary science.
Hagerman FFA members prepare a dish with their teacher, Kirt Martin (left).
In Oregon, Perrydale FFA and other Lower Willamette FFA District chapters partner to facilitate Food For All, an annual service learning project. Members embody the FFA Mission of “Living to Serve” as they collect, package and donate thousands of pounds of food items to support those in need.
Sources: Kansas State University, Made in Alabama, Mississippi Department of Agriculture, NASDA, NC State Extension, Nevada Department of Agriculture, USDA, USDA NIFA, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, and Washington Farm Bureau.
