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Frequently asked questions about the FFA
What is FFA?
FFA is a dynamic student-led leadership development organization for students of agricultural education. The FFA changes lives and prepares students for premier leadership, personal growth and career success.
What does F-F-A stand for?
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.
Are FFA members going to be farmers?
Yes and No. Agriculture is a very broad field of study. 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.
What is the difference between 4-H and FFA?
Good question! We do a lot of the same things and have a lot of things in common. The FFA is an integral part of the school's agricultural science program. Each local program is led by an agricultural science teacher or teachers who work for the school. FFA is an intra-curricular student organization for students ag 12-21 who are interested in agriculture and leadership development. Many FFA members began their ag journey in 4-H, a youth development program for ages 5-18. 4-H is part of the cooperative extension service and is coordinated by the local extension agents through county government and by volunteers. 4-H is not limited to agriculture, but takes in things like family and consumer sciences and other areas as well.
Are there any jobs in agriculture?
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.
How do I get my kids in FFA?
FFA is a part of the teaching program in agricultural sciences. The first step is to enroll in an agricultural science class. FFA activities are an outgrowth of the classroom and supervised independent enterprises and projects. Once enrolled, Cherokee FFA pays the student's dues for their National, State, Area, District and local dues which allows a student to participate in any FFA activity that interests them throughout the school year.
Membership:
Today, there are 945,988 FFA members, aged 12 to 21, in 9,163 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
How old to kids have to be to be in FFA?
It depends on your local school district- at what grade level agricultural science courses are offered. The earliest any school district can offer these classes is the seventh grade level. Some local chapters have a junior FFA program to allow younger students to affiliate themselves with the local chapter to exhibit livestock. Students must be at least eight years old and in the third grade to participate in the junior FFA.
Does everyone have to raise an animal in FFA?
NO. Every FFA member must have a supervised agricultural experience program or SAE as we call it. An SAE is a project or enterprise that gives members hands-on training and a chance to apply what is learned in the classroom. Livestock projects are very popular, but there are a lot of other options: placement in an agricultural job, internships, experimental work in agriscience, horticultural projects and crop projects are just a few. Once enrolled in an agriculture class, students will learn what options are available for SAE's.
Do you have to be a cowboy to be in FFA?
NO. Some of our members are involved with beef and horse projects and value the western way of life, but FFA members come with all kinds of styles and interests. From big cities like Houston and San Antonio to small towns all over Texas, what brings FFA members together is their interest in agriculture, leadership and community service.
What’s up with the blue corduroy jacket?
The blue corduroy jacket was adopted at the official dress after the Fredericktown, Ohio chapter had the blue jackets made for their local chapter in 1933 and came to the national FFA convention wearing them. The delegates at that convention voted to make that the official jacket, and they have been part of the official uniform ever since. Students wear the Official Dress to represent themselves professionally when conducting official FFA business, leadership competitions, conventions, and banquets.
How is Texas FFA Funded?
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.
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 169,333 members in 2023.
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