The Future Farmers of America, also known as FFA, is an organization thought of by many as the people who deal with agriculture. However, what if I told you that there’s more than just beans, corn, and cattle to FFA? FFA is a place where people can find a community, learn communication skills, and learn how to be a leader.
Our FFA program is led by Mrs. Ruestman and Mr. Reutter. Mrs. Ruestman explained that FFA is a great way to learn about agriculture and more. She says that the most important part of agriculture education, to her, is learning basic life skills and understanding where your food comes from. She states, “Agriculture is the largest industry in the United States, especially in Central Illinois. Many of our students end up working in an agriculture-related business after college or a trade school. Having a basic understanding of the agriculture world gives them that extra boost.” FFA is not the only way in our school to learn about agriculture; Mrs. Ruestman has classes such as Introduction to Illinois Ag and many more.
Adalyn Solomonson is an FFA member on the officer team, which consists of a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, reporter, and sentinel. She says that the team switches roles for each meeting so everyone has a chance to be a leader. Her favorite roles are president and vice president. Her family has been in the agriculture business for four generations. Adalyn states that FFA is a very diverse community; their activities can go from sampling soil to eating cheese. “Within the agriculture industry, there’s a variety of everything. It’s from the food you eat to the clothes you wear. Here in Illinois, there’s agriculture everywhere.”
When people think of FFA, they think of farming and cattle, but it’s actually a lot more than that. According to both Adalyn Solomonson and Mrs. Ruestman, FFA is a place to learn about communication and leadership. “While there are other leadership positions in the school, this one’s extremely important because it teaches students about something that’s around us daily,” said Adalyn. Adalyn also mentions that she has had to do many speeches in front of judges, as well as interviews concerning subjects she’s had to study for months. This led her to be more confident in her public speaking.
Grace Kaisner is a sophomore on the officer team. She joined FFA freshman year because she loves agriculture. Grace explains that FFA is a very inviting community. A student could join FFA with little understanding of agriculture, and everyone would be willing to help. Grace has gone to all of the FFA competitions and competed in showing pigs. “Some benefits to FFA are that you can learn more about real-life skills that you can’t learn in the classroom.”
Mrs. Ruestman, Adalyn Solomonson, and Grace Kaisner all agreed that they wish more people knew that FFA is not just for “farm kids.” Grace stated, “You don’t need any agriculture background to join FFA. People will help you learn about FFA when you join.” Mrs. Ruestman added, “There is so much more to the agriculture industry than just farming. FFA members also learn leadership skills and communication skills that will help them in whatever they pursue, and more students would benefit from that if they were a part of FFA.”
So if you are interested in learning more about FFA, feel free to talk to anyone mentioned in this article.
