St. Paul High School: Organizations: FFA

St. Paul FFA

by Shayla Aikins

April 04, 2008

FFA

HISTORY

FFA is an organization founded in 1928 and today contains more than 490,017 members and has 7,210 chapters. FFA was first established in Kansas City's Baltimore Hotel when 33 young farm boys got together and decided to create this organization. FFA once stood for Future Farmers of America, but was changed in 1988 to include the new jobs that have entered the world through Agriculture Education. Today you do not have to be a farmer or even live on a farm to be an FFA member.

BECOMING A MEMBER

To become an active member in FFA you must be enrolled in an Ag Science Education Course, recite the FFA Creed and pay additional dues. While being a member of FFA, you will receive six issues of the FFA New Horizons which contains important FFA News.

FFA CREED

         I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds - achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.
        I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny.
        I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturists to serve our own and the public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil.
        I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining; in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so--for others as well as myself; in less need for charity and more of it when needed; in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends upon me.
        I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.
The creed was written by E. M. Tiffany, and adopted at the 3rd National Convention of the FFA. It was revised at the 38th Convention and the 63rd Convention.

WHY IS FFA IMPORTANT?

FFA provides students with hands-on training and career advice for students interested in Agriculture jobs. There are around 300 exciting career options to explore with FFA. Even if you are not interested in pursuing a job in Agriculture the skills that you obtain while being a member of FFA will lead to success in any industry. FFA allows students to gain leadership skills and compete with other FFA members at local, state, and national levels. FFA also can provide you with money for college. Many scholarships are given each year. By being in FFA you can also increase your chances of being recruited to an agricultural college.

FFA AT ST. PAUL
This year St. Paul currently has forty-one FFA members including:
Shayla Aikins
Cory Bayer
Madi Borum
Kevin Carpenter
Kolby Carter
Tyler Coomes
Fawn Gahman
Ally Gard
Logan Giefer
Kylie Harmon
Kenny Holding
Patrick Hughes
Brett Hutcherson
Trenton Jarboe
Tyler Johnston
Jamie Kirkpatrick
Tasha Lee
Kyle Leistikow
Maddie Leistikow
Jamie Lutz
Jodie Lutz
Rick McAtee
Nathan Meins
Kayla Newberry
Jerrod Norton
Jeffery O'Daniel
Brent Paulie
Scott Paulie
Taylor Rice
Jonathon Ripple
Daniel Schibi
Dallas Smith
Hannah Smith
James Smith
Jared Snider
Tyler Tastove
Ryan Toler
Dylan Trieber
Joel VanLeeuwen
D.J. Vitt
Jason Vitt

St. Paul also has seven Chapter Officers including:
President – Allyson Gard
Vice President - Jason Vitt
Secretary – Joel VanLeeuwen
Treasurer – Jared Snider
Reporter – Nathan Meins
Sentinel – Trenton Jarboe
Parliamentarian – Rick McAtee
Advisor – Aaron Zagonel