The National FFA Organization has been shaping the next generation of agricultural leaders for nearly a century, providing students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to succeed in a rapidly changing agricultural landscape.
POET is committed to supporting organizations like FFA that help students develop both professionally and personally. Recently, two National FFA Officers, Grant Norfleet, National FFA Secretary, and Carter Howell, National FFA Southern Region Vice President, visited POET’s headquarters in Sioux Falls, S.D., to share insights into how FFA continues to cultivate the next generation of agricultural innovators and leaders. Their visit underscored the vital role FFA plays in preparing students for the evolving challenges and opportunities in agriculture.
;void('');)
Preparing the next generation of leaders
Founded in 1928, FFA’s mission goes beyond traditional farming, emphasizing leadership, personal growth, and career success in agriculture and related fields. Today, with over a million student members nationwide, FFA continues to be a vital force in preparing young people for their future careers and goals.
“Today, it’s easy to see the need in our country for civic leadership and servantship,” said Howell. “FFA teaches a lot of those values. Not only are we engaging students in agricultural leadership, but the best thing anyone can do in this world is to teach young people how to be good human beings. FFA is doing that really well.”
At its core, FFA is about leadership development. The organization teaches young people the importance of hard work, community service, and ethical decision-making, preparing them for future leadership roles both in and outside the agriculture sector.
“Students recognize the importance of giving back to their community and the importance of service,” said Howell. “Those civic values are what FFA is really good at and has been for 97 years.”
Jeff Broin, POET Founder and CEO, commends FFA for its development of agricultural leaders, including himself.
;void('');)
“My time in FFA was about much more than farming — it taught me life skills, leadership, and teamwork,” says Broin. “In addition to many technical skills like sales and parliamentary procedure, it helped me understand the importance of the agricultural sector and the many ways it could impact the future. FFA gave me the foundation to be a leader, not just in agriculture, but in making a positive impact on the world.”
Hands-on experience and career exploration
One of the most valuable aspects of the FFA program is its focus on hands-on, experiential learning. Through Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs) and various career development events, students get the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in real-world scenarios. Whether it’s managing a livestock project, developing a community garden, or working on cutting-edge agricultural technology, these experiences help students see the broad spectrum of careers available in agriculture.
;void('');)
“Agriculture education is a three-circle model, so the classroom is only one-third of the experience you get as a student,” said Norfleet. “You get the leadership component from FFA, but then you also get the supervised agriculture experience program. Those projects are where you get to take the knowledge you’ve learned from the classroom and the leadership experience from FFA into a career you can see yourself in.”
FFA’s influence spans both rural and urban landscapes, introducing students from diverse backgrounds to the breadth of opportunities in agriculture.
“Students in the Midwest get it because they live it,” Norfleet said. “But we also have FFA chapters in cities like Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York City. Those students might see themselves in bio-research or biotechnology.”
By introducing agriculture in a broader context, FFA helps urban students understand how agriculture impacts their everyday lives, from the food they eat to the energy they use. They also develop leadership and career-applicable skills that prepare them for their futures.
“FFA helps students gain leadership skills and the skills necessary to be employable in any career — whether that’s in agriculture or not,” said Norfleet. “It ultimately helps them be a successful consumer and advocate for agriculture. It connects them to agriculture in a way that’s far beyond the dinner plate that sits in front of them every night.”
;void('');)
FFA: A bright future for agriculture
With its focus on leadership and hands-on learning, FFA continues to be a critical force in shaping the future of agriculture. As the world relies more and more heavily on agriculture to solve the world’s challenges, the next generation of FFA members will be at the forefront of finding innovative solutions.
“FFA is preparing future leaders and equipping them with the skills they need to make a difference in our communities, in agriculture, and in the world,” said Broin. “Agriculture has always been about much more than just crops and livestock. It’s about innovation, stewardship, and leaving a positive legacy, and FFA is helping to ensure that legacy continues for generations to come.”
