Celebrate National FFA Week

Hey, all.

It's National FFA Week.

Taken from the FFA website: "FFA Week gives members a chance to educate the public about agriculture. During the week, chapters host teacher appreciation breakfasts, conduct 'Ag Olympics' competitions, speak to the public about agriculture, volunteer for community service projects and more.

"The week of George Washington’s birthday was designated as National FFA Week in 1947 at a National FFA Board of Directors meeting. FFA Week always runs from Saturday to Saturday, and encompasses Feb. 22, Washington’s birthday."

There are many FFA chapters in New York state. Go to http://www.nysffa.org/ this link to learn more about FFA in New York.

State officers are: president, Amanda Rhodes, Belleville-Henderson FFA, Jefferson County; vice president, Paige Levandowski, Albion FFA, Orleans County; secretary, Leann Green Jasper-Troupsburg FFA, Steuben County; treasurer, Ryan Willits, Lowville FFA, Lewis County; reporter, Marcie Hauri, Cattaraugus Little Valley FFA, Cattaraugus County; sentinel, Kaylin Broadwell, Hamilton FFA, Madison County; district 2 president, Brady Rogers, Tri-Valley FFA, Sullivan County; district 5 president, Heather Staelens, Madison FFA, Madison County; district 6 president, Ashley Willits, Lowville FFA, Lewis County; district 9 president, Adam Eick, Medina FFA, Orleans County; and district 10 president, Ivy Jean Reynolds, Cuba-Rushford FFA, Allegany County.

The FFA website also states there are 557,318 FFA members, aged 12‒21, in 7,498 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

** 44 percent of FFA members are female; women hold about 50 percent of state leadership positions.

** 73 percent of FFA membership is white; 15 percent is Hispanic/Latino; 7 percent is Black/African-American; 5 percent is American Indian, Asian or Pacific Islander.

** 9 percent of FFA members are enrolled in grades 6-8; 87 percent of FFA members are in grades 9-12; 4 percent already have graduated from high school and may be engaged in postsecondary studies.

** FFA chapters are in 18 of the 20 largest U.S. cities, including New York, Chicago and Philadelphia.

**   The top five membership states are Texas, California, Georgia, Missouri and Oklahoma.