Farm Bureau and FFA: Two agricultural organizations that focus on advocating for agriculture, creating leaders and providing a network. The groups focus on different age ranges but work together to ensure everyone can have opportunities in agriculture. Playing an active role in both organizations, I can attest that I have gained unique experiences and valuable skills from each one.
FFA is a youth organization that is present in schools with agricultural education programs. It is open to middle school, high school and even has a few opportunities for college-aged students. FFA was founded in 1928 and was originally called the Future Farmers of America. In 1988, the name was changed to the National FFA Organization to represent the growing agricultural industry. Now students who are involved in many forms of agriculture can join FFA.
Farm Bureau is Wisconsin’s largest general farm organization. 61 counties make up Wisconsin Farm Bureau with voting and associate members. Anyone 18 and older is welcome to join, which makes it the perfect transition to a new agricultural organization after FFA membership has ended. Farm Bureau also offers three collegiate chapters within the state. When I graduated high school and started my journey at the University of Wisconsin River Falls (UWRF), I immediately knew I wanted to join the UWRF Collegiate Farm Bureau. I’ve been able to meet new friends in the organization, develop professional skills and teach students on campus all about Wisconsin agriculture.
Once a year, Farm Bureau hosts a one-day conference for FFA members called FFA Farm Forum. The conference has been around for over 50 years and is open to high school juniors. Farm Bureau finds workshop presenters and guest speakers to help develop leadership skills, agricultural knowledge, and Farm Bureau awareness. FFA members leave feeling fulfilled and excited about opportunities that await them after high school graduation.
Both Farm Bureau and FFA offer competitions that improve public speaking skills and agricultural knowledge. One they have in common is the discussion meet. In FFA, high school members can participate and in Farm Bureau, it is open to collegiate and young farmer members. One of Farm Bureau’s tasks is to write the discussion meet for the FFA competition. This aligns the two competitions and keeps the FFA discussion questions relevant to what is happening in the agricultural industry. It also creates a smooth transition if FFA members compete in the discussion meet as future Farm Bureau members.
The connections between Farm Bureau and FFA make me excited for the future of agriculture. There is no shortage of opportunities for middle schoolers and beyond, and I can’t wait to see how these two organizations collaborate for years to come.
Heidi Strey is Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Communications Intern. She is currently attending the University of Wisconsin River Falls and is involved in her family’s beef farm near Osseo.
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