F-F-A stands for Future Farmers of America, which is the official name of the organization, but we don’t use the full name and instead operate as the “FFA” because Future Farmers of America implies that we are all preparing to be farmers. Agriculture is much broader than farming and ranching. Members study things such as horticulture, aquaculture, food sciences, accounting, wildlife management, mechanics and engineering. Members study things like landscaping, floriculture, animal science, computer applications, accounting, environmental science, mechanics and engineering. Regardless of an FFA member’s career choice the FFA provides opportunities to build and apply math, science, technology and leadership skills to their life. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, at least 22 million people in the United States work in one of over 300 careers that exist in the field of agriculture. While most people think of farming when the word agriculture is mentioned, there are agriculture-related jobs in veterinary science, marketing, food processing, retail sales and timber harvesting. It is estimated that one in five people in the United States are working in jobs connected to agriculture. FFA programs are funded through private donations, grants and sponsorships at the local, state and national level. The Texas FFA Foundation, a separately registered non-profit organization, works with business and industry, organizations and individuals to raise funds to recognize FFA achievements and support activities. State dues for each FFA member are only five dollars a year. The local FFA chapter is administered through the school district's agricultural science and technology department, led by a certified instructor who serves as advisor to the FFA. The local department operates under the supervision of the campus administrator--principal and/or career and technical education director and superintendent of schools and under the governance of the local board of trustees. Your first contact is the local agricultural science instructor. The Texas FFA Association operates programs which support the work of local chapters. These programs include membership operations, competitive events, scholarship and awards programs, student leadership operations, annual state convention and statewide trademark licensing. To participate in these programs and apply the FFA name and trademarks, a local chapter must remain in good standing by paying membership dues pursuant to applicable policies and submitting all other required documentation. Supervision and governance of local program operations is the responsibility of local administrator and trustees. Some school districts will allow students from other districts to access career and technical education courses such as agricultural science by an agreement between the districts. Normally, the student would be required to provide transportation to the receiving district. If there is enough interest in establishing an agricultural science instructional program, one might consider approaching the superintendent or board of trustees with a proposal to establish a program.
Texas FFA is proud to have one of the largest state membership within the National FFA Organization. Texas FFA membership has steadily grown toward a new membership record with over 62,000 members in 2007.
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