BOZEMAN — Over 700,000 FFA members across the nation will participate in National FFA Week beginning on Saturday.
“National FFA Week is a time to celebrate agriculture and FFA across the nation. A lot of chapters focus on service activities, staff appreciation at their schools and also some outreach. Like move visiting with elementary school programs or middle school programs to recruit FFA members. Basically, it's just time to recognize that they across the nation,” explained MSU freshman Caroline Roeder, who is the Montana State FFA president.
Roeder, a graduate of Chouteau High School said FFA week is all about agriculture awareness.
“My favorite times at my home chapter was FFA Week. Part of it was because I felt like FFA was under recognized within my school and my community. We go and compete at contest and we do leadership activities, but not everybody sees that,” she said.
“So, this is a time during National FFA Week for everybody to see what FFA is all about. And that recognition is good, and it brings in new people and new energy to our organization,” Roeder added.
“One of the ways that we're trying to support FFA is through Give FFA Day on Tuesday, February the 25th,” said Montana FFA Foundation executive director Gwynn Simeniuk. “This will be a huge social media awareness campaign where folks will be sharing their reasons for giving to FFA.”
Tax-deductible donations to support Montana FFA members can be made through the National FFA Foundation website.
“The easiest way will be through either online through Facebook or on the National FFA website,” Simeniuk said. “They have all these online platforms setups so folks can go online read stories about FFA members and the impact that FFA has had on their lives. They can designate a state who they would like to receive their donation from.”
Whether you're a current FFA member or a proud alumni and supporter, FFA Week and Give FFA Day is a great way to recognize all that FFA and ag education provides students here in Montana and across the nation.
Here’s a fun fact: In 1988 The Future Farmers of America changed its name to the National FFA Organization to reflect the growing diversity in agriculture.
