FFA: More Than Numbers. A Legacy in Motion.
Every year during National FFA Week, we celebrate the blue jackets, the contests, the early mornings, and the community service projects. But for those of us who once zipped up that corduroy jacket ourselves, this week carries something deeper.
I was once an FFA student.
I remember the nerves before competitions, the long bus rides home, the friendships made, and the pride of representing my chapter. I remember learning lessons that went far beyond agriculture. Lessons in responsibility, resilience, and how to lead when and where it mattered most. Those experiences shaped me in ways I did not fully understand at the time.
Today, as we recognize National FFA Week and the work of the National FFA Organization, I’m reminded that the impact of agricultural education reaches well beyond any single organization. While NWIAA does not exclusively serve FFA members, we stand firmly in support of agriculture, of women in agriculture, and of creating strong pathways for youth to explore meaningful futures within this industry.
Agriculture today is far bigger than many people realize. It is not limited to production farming. It is animal science and agritourism, environmental systems and food safety, mechanics and marketing, biotechnology and engineering. It lives in science labs and welding shops, in leadership conferences and public speaking contests. It is hands-on, challenging, and deeply connected to the real world.
Nationally, FFA now serves more than 900,000 members. Students contribute millions of community service hours each year. They flood Capitol buildings and sit amongst their peers at the policy table. Thousands compete annually in Career and Leadership Development events designed to mirror industry standards. Millions of dollars in scholarships are awarded to help students continue their education. Those numbers reflect strength and momentum. But for NWIAA, the impact feels personal.
It is the young man who finds confidence at the microphone through a prepared speech. The young woman who turns a small Supervised Agricultural Experience into a thriving entrepreneurial venture. The welding student who discovers pride in skilled trades. The quiet freshman who matures into a chapter officer. Growth happens in measurable ways - certifications earned, competitions entered, hours logged - but it also happens in ways you can simply see in a student’s posture, voice, and the belief in themselves.
Employers consistently say they are looking for young professionals who can communicate effectively, solve problems, work with others, and demonstrate initiative. FFA develops those skills naturally through teamwork, accountability, competition, and service. Students do not just learn about leadership; they practice it. They do not just study responsibility; they live it.
Whether they pursue a four-year degree, a technical certification, military service, or enter the workforce immediately, they leave agricultural education with far more than technical knowledge. They carry resilience. Integrity. Work ethic. The ability to step forward when something needs to be done.
As someone who once wore the jacket, I know those lessons stay with you.
National FFA Week is more than a celebration of tradition. It is a reminder that the legacy continues. A reminder that classrooms across NWIAA and our Sustainable Science Academy are shaping future leaders, skilled professionals, and engaged citizens every single day. The statistics demonstrate the scale of the impact, but the true measure is found in the confidence gained, the skills mastered, and the futures launched.
And that story is still being written.
