04/19/06 FFA

FFA-Past, Present & Future. I'm Greg Martin with today's Line On Agriculture. A blue corduroy jacket. It can mean only one thing. The wearer is a member of the Future Farmers of America. SONG The FFA has been around since 1928 and was born in Kansas City, Missouri bringing together students, teachers and agribusiness to solidify support for agricultural education.. The initial group of 33 farm boys has grown to over 490,000 young men & women. In 1988, the official organization name was changed to The National FFA Organization to reflect the broadening field of agriculture, which today encompasses more than 300 careers in everything from agri-science to biotechnology to turf grass management. Since 1928, millions of agriculture students - no one knows exactly how many - have donned the official FFA jacket and championed the FFA creed. FFA has opened its doors and its arms to minorities and women, ensuring that all students could reap the benefits of agricultural education. Many prominent names have worn the blue corduroy jacket including Jim Davis the creator of the Garfield comic strip. Musicians Trace Adkins, Don Henley and Willie Nelson. Cowboy poet Baxter Black. Sports figure Bo Jackson, Idaho Senator Larry Craig and former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter. Today, the National FFA Organization remains committed to the individual student, providing a path to achievement in premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Now, the organization is expanding the nation`s view of "traditional" agriculture and finding new ways to infuse agriculture into the classroom. The National FFA Organization is alive and well in America. Visit their website for more information, ffa.org. SONG That's today's Line On Agriculture. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.