Celebrate the FFA

his week is National FFA Week. The FFA (which once stood for Future Farmers of America) is big in the Harlem Valley. Both Webutuck and Pine Plains school districts have chapters. Considering the organization's mission - to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education - that's a very good thing.

That mission, along with a plethora of other information, can be found on the Web site, www.ffa.org.

For instance, the FFA was founded in 1928. There are currently 7,358 chapters, with more than 500,000 members. Thirty-eight percent of FFA members are female; 77 percent are Caucasian. The majority of participants, nearly 90 percent, are in grades nine through 12. Twenty-seven percent of the FFA membership lives in rural farm areas, while 39 percent lives in rural non-farm areas and 34 percent lives in urban and suburban areas.

Through the FFA, which changed its name due to the ever-expanding field of agricultural education, students are introduced to a number of interesting and progressive topics, including agriscience, biotechnology, agricultural mechanics, horticulture, animal science, environmental science, food science, agricultural communications, wildlife management, production agriculture and the list continues. Such subjects would most likely not be taught through a standard high school curriculum. FFA members also participate in practical work experience to learn first-hand about any given subject.

According to the Web site, "87 percent of students are interested in learning about career exploration, 81 percent about college preparation and 81 percent about technology."

These numbers, though national, reflect well on the community we live in. The Harlem Valley has strong ties to its agricultural past and a tight grip on its farming present. Though not what it used to be, this is still an agricultural community. Students should learn what that means and how to foster an environment where that can continue. The FFA provides the tools to help accomplish that.

The organization also does more. It offers students a chance to catch a glimpse of the adult working world, while learning about the nation's largest industry - agriculture. It develops their sense of productivity, their sense of community, their sense of accomplishment and their sense of self. All around it's a win-win.

The FFA motto itself says much in terms of what it offers its student members: "Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve."

That stated, we're glad to see the FFA chapters are going strong in the Harlem Valley. We hope for their continued presence here (something that should not be taken for granted) and laud both school districts for supporting the organization within their halls and out in their barns. Most of all, we encourage students' participation with the FFA and congratulate them on all of their hard work done on the FFA's behalf. They should be proud of their efforts. We are.

To contact the Webutuck FFA call advisor Bonnie Finkle at 518-789-0400 or 860-459-4486. To contact the Pine Plains FFA call advisor Christine MacNeil at 518-398-7181, extension 113.