FFA Week

National FFA Week is February 15 - 22. There are now nearly 580 thousand FFA members aged 12 to 21 across the country, and every year they utilize FFA week as an opportunity to reach out and educate the public about the FFA organization and the importance of the ag industry. Many FFA members will be visiting elementary and middle schools to talk with young students about where their food comes from and the people who work hard to provide that food. They also connect with state and local government leaders and perform community service projects. In 1969 FFA opened its membership to girls, and in 1976 Washington student Julie Smiley was elected as the first female national FFA officer. Interestingly, 44% of FFA members are currently female, with women holding approximately 50% of state leadership positions. And if you think FFA chapters are found just in rural communities, think again. There are FFA chapters in eighteen of the twenty largest U.S. cities, including Chicago, New York and Philadelphia.