GRANTS, NM, (Wednesday, February 7, 2024/Grants FFA Chapter) – This month, FFA members across the country, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will celebrate agriculture and FFA. It's all part of National FFA Week. Notably, Grants FFA will be celebrating for the first time since rechartering their program over a year ago.
National FFA Week is a time for FFAmembers to raise awareness about the National FFA Organization's role in developing future leaders in agriculture and the importance of agricultural education.
FFA provides the next generation of leaders who will change the world. As the nation's top school-based youth leadership development organization, FFA helps young people meet new agricultural challenges by encouraging members to develop their unique talents and explore their interests in various career pathways. FFA members are our future leaders, food suppliers, innovators, and more!
National FFA Week runs from Saturday to Saturday, encompassing Feb. 22, George Washington's birthday. This year, the week kicks off on Feb. 17 and culminates on Saturday, Feb. 24.
The National FFA Board of Directors designated the weeklong tradition, which began in 1948, recognizing Washington's legacy as an agriculturist and farmer. A group of young farmers founded FFA in 1928, and the organization has been influencing generations that agriculture is more than planting and harvesting — it involves science, business and more.
“This is an exciting time for our program, as we have accomplished so much in just a year, and the hardworking members of this chapter deserve the chance to showcase what the agriculture industry means to them,” said Grants FFA Advisor Amador Gonzales. “FFA Week is an opportunity to allow others to learn about FFA and to advertise what it is to our school and community, allowing more people to take part in agriculture, especially if they haven’t grown up in an agricultural background,” said Grants FFA Student Advisor Shelbie Martinez.
During the celebration, Grants FFA will host various community and school activities. The chapter will host a benefit youth dance at the Cibola County Building on February 15th to kick off the week. Admission is one can of non-perishable food, which will be later donated to a local food bank during National Days of Service on February 19th. The chapter will also host a bake sale at the Grants Tractor Supply that same day. Within the school system, members will be providing an appreciation breakfast to the staff of Grants High School, showcasing their accomplishments to the Grants Cibola County Schools Board of Education during the February 20th meeting, and hosting a recruitment day with middle school students looking to join the program. The program will also host a donation drive on Give FFA Day on February 22nd, of which details can be found on the Grants FFA Facebook and Instagram pages.
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 945,000 student members as part of 9,163 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.