National FFA Organization

Byron Nelson FFA in Texas Partners with Guide Dogs for the Blind

Mark Goggins, FFA advisor at Byron Nelson High School in Trophy Club, Texas, explains how his chapter started raising dogs that will one day serve as guide dogs for the blind. Byron Nelson FFA member Jennie Powell is raising a guide dog for her SAE, training and socializing the dog in preparation for the formal training program. (2015-16 National FFA President Taylor McNeel visited the chapter last April!)

This segment aired on the December 17, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Three Weeks in Uganda – What an Experience!

Madison Taylor, a student at the University of Minnesota−Twin Cities and a former Minnesota state FFA officer, traveled to Uganda in East Africa to work with teachers and students at Gayaza High School. From collaborating with the teachers on curriculum to presenting a workshop on leadership development for the students, Madison says her experiences in Uganda will stay with her forever.

This segment aired on the December 17, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Land O’Lakes Answer Plot Community Garden in Mississippi

Under the watchful eye of Jesse Cornelius, agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Nettleton High School in Mississippi, students harvest corn and peas at Nettleton’s Answer Plot Community Garden. Jesse and his students explain how the garden serves two purposes – adding a hands-on component to their ag classes and filling an important need in their community.

This segment aired on the December 17, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Presque Isle FFA in Maine Is an Active Partner with Their Community

FFA advisor Vicki McCurry introduces us to the Presque Isle FFA Chapter in northern Maine, which draws its members from five neighboring communities. FFA member Matthew Bouchard talks about how everyone pitches in to help with the annual potato harvest, and Kaleb Stitham and Adam Burns explain how the trees that the chapter is growing will be used as replacement trees in the town’s public areas.

This segment aired on the December 10, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Jacob Larison from Kansas, 2016 NAAE Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher – Region II

Jacob Larison was named the 2016 NAAE Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher for Region II. He tells correspondent Thomas Shaw that his agriculture teacher was his role model, and now Jacob is filling that same role for his students at Riverton High School in Kansas. He says a rewarding part of his job is watching his students grow and develop as they become young adults.

This segment aired on the December 10, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Mississippi FFA Reflects the State’s “Hospitality” Moniker

Alyssa Camfield, a member of the Lafayette FFA Chapter in Oxford, Miss., recalls how supportive and encouraging the students and the teacher were when she enrolled in her first agriculture class in the 10th grade. Alyssa explains that she decided to become an agriculture teacher so she can impact others’ lives like her life has been impacted by studying agriculture and joining FFA.

This segment aired on the December 10, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Profusion of Projects at Narragansett FFA in Rhode Island

Five members of the Narragansett FFA Chapter in Rhode Island give an overview of some of their projects. Chapter president Audra Koukas describes the Farm Olympics, Charlie Ashworth talks about the new greenhouse, Todd Poulos explains how the sugar shack operates, Aliana Zabel reports on the plant sale and Marc Baglini tells us about the ag mechanics program and the Woodsman Contest.

This segment aired on the December 3, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Melanie Mundell, 2016 Delaware Bio Educator of the Year

When Delaware’s Newark Charter School opened its high school in 2013, Melanie Mundell moved from teaching seventh-grade science to teach biotechnology and start an FFA chapter at the new school. As Melanie and her students embraced both the biotechnology pathway and FFA, the Delaware BioScience Association took note of their success, naming Melanie the state’s Bio Educator of the Year for 2016.

This segment aired on the December 3, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Alabama FFA Chapter Continues a Musical FFA Tradition

Members of the Zion Chapel FFA Chapter in Jack, Ala., tell correspondent Kelsey Litchfield how they raised money to pay for their trip to the National FFA Convention & Expo, only to find that their quartet was not registered for the talent competition. The chapter never lost faith, and the students were able to share their inspiring music on one of the talent stages at the convention.

This segment aired on the December 3, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.