Since arriving here I have heard so many stories beginning and ending with 4H and FFA. Here it seems that it is just a part of everyday vocabulary. Most Aussies would have probably been flat out to have heard it at the very most let alone know what it may stand for. I know I was one of those people. This past week was National FFA Week, so I thought I would interview State FFA officer, Miss Elizabeth Allen and ask her all about it. Elizabeth is currently studying at Kansas State University and has been a member of the FFA for 5 years, beginning when she was 14 years of age. This week she has been travelling many miles to be in a different part of the state of Kansas each day to recognise National FFA Week 2014.
With history back as far as 1928, the National FFA Organisation has certainly become a strong traditional organisation that involves youth in agriculture. It was originally founded as FFA, Future Farmers of America, however, the name was changed to National FFA Organisation to recognise the diversity within the agricultural industry. With almost 580,000 members across the country and FFA chapters in 18 of of the 20 largest U.S. cities, I can understand why this organisation is so well known among my peers here in America (National FFA Organisation, 2014).
As part of high school, students have the opportunity to take agricultural studies, just as most students do in Australia. However, in addition to this, students can join the FFA which means that they participate in crew development events and supervised agricultural experience, which are proficiency based activities. This is then combined with classroom and laboratory hours to provide a rounded agricultural education.
Meet Elizabeth Allen, she is a very talented and confident young lady that exudes a passion for agriculture. When I asked her if we could chat about the FFA so I could learn more about it, she was more than willing to help me.
Given that the majority of the people I have met in the last month since I have been here in the United States, are members of the FFA or similar, 4H, there has been many a question thrown at me asking if there is any similar organisation in Australia. Which makes me ponder the question myself...Why don't we have the FFA?
There has been much talk, particularly through social media outlets discussing education as a solution for bridging the gap between the city-country divide. The FFA and 4H runs through the veins of the people of my generation here in America. I saw a neat picture on social media describing FFA: It is Travel Experience. Work Ethic. Marketing. Boardroom Confidence. Preparing American agricultural enthusiasts for success. Most importantly, I have learnt that it is also tradition. We as Australian's are very fortunate to have a similar discipline and work ethic instilled in us, as part and parcel of being raised on the land, just like our American partners. But can we be doing more? I mean, for those children who are not as blessed as those who have had the opportunity to be raised on the land.
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| This picture was circulated on social media last week. I thought it was a neat way to describe FFA. (Unknown author). |
I've given it some good thought about the things that we may do that are similar to these organisations here in the U.S. and I can't help but question whether us Aussies have been missing out on a golden opportunity to actively involve our youth in agriculture. Don't get me wrong, there are some very new and fantastic programs and initiatives that have kicked off in Australia for youth in agriculture. However I think that we could certainly learn from our American counterparts. The principles of FFA seem to be something that Australia could apply to create our own youth programs for agriculture. It is associated with school here in the United States, which is a fantastic idea, given that some students are not off the land and may find it hard to get in touch with agriculture outside of school. Elizabeth mentioned in her interview about schools that have students that are not predominantly from an agricultural background that have recently adopted the FFA program, which has to be a benefit to not only the students but also the future of the industry.
I have been very very fortunate to be involved with some great local organisations that have allowed me to thrive and hopefully pursue a career in an industry that I am incredibly passionate about and for that I am very thankful. But what about those that don't live on the land? How do they get their start?? These questions have been raised before. However, has there been an answer to them? One cannot wake up, click their fingers and say, 'Today I am going to start a tradition'. It won't work like that. It starts with small steps and becomes something that people feel passionate about eventually giving it the strength to become tradition over generations. I feel as if we are missing an identity in agriculture that unites the youngsters in agriculture. For me, learning about these organisations, really gets the thought process going and how we can perhaps do something like this, that who knows, may start a tradition that defines our agricultural history in many many years to come.
While this is only a small introduction to FFA, I would strongly encourage that my fellow Aussie friends learn about it. Keep your ears open for it. It crops up more than you realise once you know about it! For all we know, we may be able to have the FFA, the Aussie way!
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