610,240. 37,000. 290. 3. 1. Each of these numbers have one common theme; do you know what it is? Before the answer is revealed, let me give you a hint: National Blue and Corn Gold! Still don’t know? Well there are 610,240 FFA members in the National FFA Organization. 37,000 of these members are involved in one of the 290 FFA chapters in Georgia. This statistic ranks GA number 3 in membership with 1 common theme: THE BLUE CORDUROY JACKET!
That’s right, one simple blue corduroy jacket and the National FFA Organization bonds over 610, 240 students grades 7-12 together in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands with a sole purpose. The FFA Mission Statement states this reason: “FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.”
That’s right; we are no longer solely the “Future Farmers of America” as previous generations once knew this organization as. Yes, we still hold firm in our agricultural roots, history and heritage, but FFA is not just for students that desire to be production farmers and agriculturalists. This youth driven inspiring organization welcomes students who aspire to be teachers, doctors, scientists, veterinarians, as well as future business owners through a leadership based curriculum, hands-on education and real-world application based scenarios.
Each year FFA chapters across the country, just like the George Washington Carver Freshman Campus Chapter, celebrate National FFA Week. The nationally recognized weeklong celebration initiated back in 1947 when the National FFA Board of Directors designated the week of George Washington’s birthday as National FFA Week, in an effort to recognize his legacy as a farmer and agriculturalist.
To show GWCFC’s support of National FFA Week, Principal Abe Morris and Assistant Principal of Instruction Tammy Bennett signed the FFA Week Proclamation on Thursday, February 25, 2016 to designate the week of February 20-27, 2016 as National FFA Week at GWCFC.
-Submitted by Katie Burch, GWCFC FFA Reporter