By Hannah Spivey, GWCFC journalism student
The following numbers revolve around one common theme: 653,359. 41,000+. 8,568. 3. 1. Can you guess the theme? Here’s a hint: National Blue and Corn Gold. If you still can’t figure it out, the answer is the National FFA Organization. There are 653,359 members in the organization. There are 8,568 chapters between the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. 41,000+ members are involved in one of the 475 FFA chapters in Georgia. This statistic ranks GA number three in membership with one common theme: THE BLUE CORDUROY JACKET!
That’s right, one simple blue corduroy jacket and the National FFA Organization bonds over 653, 359 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.”
FFA isn’t just cows and plows anymore as previous generations once thought. 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. This year at GWCFC hosted a variety of activities. We had dress up days like ‘Merica Monday and Blue and Gold Day. GWCFC FFA also had a “Guess How Many Corn Kernels in the Jar” contest, an FFA meeting where we played Beach Ball Polo, gave Sausage dogs to the teachers and staff, and for the community service project, FFA gave cabbage and other crops to the surrounding community. 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 agriculturist.
To show GWCFC’s support of National FFA Week, Principal, Abe Morris signed the FFA Week Proclamation on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018 to designate the week of Feb. 12-15, 2018 as FFA Week at GWCFC.
Agriculture classes deliver crops grown on the GWCFC campus to the surrounding community.