FFA has been an important organization in our family. Our kids are the third generation in our family to be members. Both of our fathers were members followed by our older brothers. My husband and I became members in high school and attribute our initial connection to each other as the result of being on the Parliamentary Procedure Team together.

The opportunities afforded to young people in this organization are immense and like no other. In what other class/club can you:

-learn about engines and also write a speech?

-write a resume for a job interview and learn to weld?

-keep real financial records for a project or business of your own and use power tools?

These are just a few examples of what FFA members get to do as part of the ag curriculum and as a member of their FFA chapter. The wide variety of information and interest is amazing.

I have heard it said that you can tell when you meet a youth who is or has been in 4-H or FFA. They will look you in the eye and shake your hand. This is also part of what they learn by being in a strong organization who teaches them content but also develops them as a person. They carry these lessons and experiences with them for a lifetime.

National FFA Week was last week. We like to reminisce about our years in the blue and gold jacket. We had so many opportunities. We made so many friends and lifelong connections. During this week we lost one of our oldest friends. We made this friendship through these great years. FFA Week will never be the same. We are Forever Blue.