Celebrate National FFA Week

Agriculture plays a key role in our daily lives and in a variety of ways. This week, more than half a million FFA members will celebrate the role agriculture plays in our lives while sharing their message of agriculture and agricultural education throughout the country.

During National FFA Week, celebrated this year Feb. 20-27, a host of activities are planned to raise awareness about the role the National FFA Organization plays in the development of agriculture’s future leaders and the importance of agricultural education.

The week-long tradition began in 1947 when the National FFA Board of Directors designated the week of George Washington’s birthday as National FFA Week in recognition of his legacy as an agriculturist and farmer. The first National FFA Week was held in 1948.

Farmington, Prairie Grove and Lincoln FFA chapters remain active throughout the school year and many students are busy in the summer taking care of animals in preparation for county and state fairs in the fall. The Enterprise-Leader recognizes the excellent programs at these three high schools. The local FFA Chapters have submitted articles and photos highlighting some of the many activities their groups were involved in during 2015 and why they are passionate about agriculture education and FFA membership.

National FFA Week is an opportunity for FFA members, alumni and sponsors to advocate for agricultural education and FFA. It’s a time to share with local, state and national audiences what FFA is and the impact it has on members every day.

SUBMITTED PHOTO The Washington County Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers donated the cans from their canned food drive so that the Lincoln FFA Chapter could compete in Food For America.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Jessika Calhoon and her grand champion steer at the Washington County Fair.