DeKalb Times

The 75th Anniversary of National Future Farmers of America Week is a chance to acknowledge an organization that exposes youngsters to all aspects of agriculture. Illinois has 359 FFA chapters across the state, involving 22,532 members.

“FFA is one of the best educational programs and its impact on young people is unmeasurable,” Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) said on Facebook. “After meeting the young people involved in FFA, you can’t help but walk away feeling better about the future. Thank you to all the staff and supporters.”

FFA dates back to the 1917 Smith-Hughes Act, which provided federal funding to teach agriculture in American public schools. The Future Farmers of Virginia, organized in 1925 at Virginia Tech formed the template for the modern FFA. It operates now, according to its website, as “a dynamic youth organization that changes lives and prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.”

Illinois FFA helps members develop their talent through hands-on experiences, which give members the tools to achieve real-world success. In addition to students who want to be production farmers, FFA also welcomes those who aspire to careers as teachers, doctors, scientists, business owners, and more. Illinois FFA members have become chemists, veterinarians, government officials, entrepreneurs, bankers, international business leaders, teachers, and premier professionals in many career fields.

There are groups in five districts and 25 sections across the state.