Go Inside the CSX Exhibit at the National FFA Convention & Expo

Now this is cool.

CSX exhibited at the 87th National FFA Convention & Expo last fall with a huge booth that took FFA members through every step of transporting agricultural goods in the U.S. From trains to trucks, the interactive setup showed FFA members how the whole process works — and what types of careers make the important journey possible.

Oh, and FFA members who completed the tour had a nice reward: some popcorn and chicken nuggets!

Be on the lookout this fall for CSX (a proud platinum-level FFA sponsor) at the 88th National FFA Convention & Expo!

Iowa FFA member celebrated at White House Science Fair

A member of the National FFA Organization is being celebrated today at a White House event for students who excel in science.

Eric Koehlmoos, 18, of Iowa, is a member of the South O’Brien FFA Chapter in Paulina, Iowa. He was invited to the 2015 White House Science Fair that celebrates the accomplishments of student winners of a broad range of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competitions throughout the United States.

How the National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador Academy Changed My Classroom

by Kellie Michaud, Agriculture Educator, Smyrna (Dela.) High School

I attended the National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador Academy in July of 2008 and 2009. Encouraged by Dr. Karen Hutchison to attend, I can honestly say the program changed the way I teach.

Now a Veterinarian, FFA Alumni Member Promotes STEM Skills

Maryland FFA Alumni president Brooke Ridinger meets with an FFA member.

Brooke Ridinger was an FFA member of Maryland’s Catoctin FFA and still bleeds the blue and gold as the president of the Maryland FFA Alumni Association. Today, Ridinger, a veternarian in Thurmont, Maryland, believes in emphasizing the rigor and relevance of agricultural education.

She encourages community members to step up and help out, opening the eyes of members to career possibilities in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

The Value of Rigor and Relevance: CASE Q&A with Rebecca Farrow

Read our question-and-answer session with Rebecca Farrow, the agriculture educator at Overton High School in Nashville, Tennessee. She teaches using CASE Intro to AFNR, and is also a Dupont Agriscience Teacher Academy alumnus.

FFA: Why does your administration support your agricultural education program?

Farrow: I believe that my administration supports our agricultural education program because we have the same goal: to graduate every student college-ready, career-ready and life-ready. We may be an urban school with non-traditional students, but don’t let the lack of experience in production agriculture fool you.

#myAGstory: Donnie Smith tells FFA members to share their story of agriculture

By Kendall Herren

LOUISVILLE – Telling our ag story; that is the message of Tyson Inc. President and CEO Donnie Smith. His mission is to inspire FFA members to tell their agriculture story and build consumer support.

2014 National Finalists: Agricultural Proficiency Awards, National Chapter Awards and National FFA Agriscience Fair

The news many of you have been waiting for is here!

Friday we announced the 2014 national finalists for several award areas in three programs: Agricultural Proficiency Awards, National Chapter Awards and National FFA Agriscience Fair. These awards, listed below, honor the best and brightest of FFA nationwide in so many different areas, and we could not be more proud to celebrate your accomplishments at the 87th National FFA Convention & Expo this fall in Louisville!

USDA Launches New Website for New Farmers and Ranchers

Farmers work hard. They work to produce food that will eventually be on our dinner plate, while dealing with unpredictable weather, long hours and countless risks. New farmers face more obstacles with starting their operations with acquiring land, equipment and capital as well as learning about regulations and insurance policies.

With these new challenges, the U.S. Department of Agriculture hopes to guide the next generation of farmers for their future careers. As FFA members are also preparing to be future leaders in the industry, USDA’s New Farmers website could be used as a valuable resource.

Smithsonian welcomes famous former FFA jackets

Former president Jimmy Carter stands with 2003 Georgia FFA Vice Presidents Rachael McCall and Alex Tolbert.

In the past few months, we’ve asked you to help the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History with your story of agricultural education. They’ve also been seeking old FFA jackets to add to their collection — but not just any FFA jacket.

Friday, all of your help came to fruition.

Day By Day: 2014 FFA Costa Rica Travel Seminar

The Costa Rica Proficiency and Stars Travel Seminar empowers FFA leaders by providing them with a global perspective. Through this experience, participants gain knowledge by visiting farms and agribusinesses. This travel seminar is available to proficiency finalists and star finalists.

Day 1 – Friday, June 13

A three hour flight from Miami to Costa Rica took 63 national FFA Proficiency Stars and finalist, accompanied by advisors and national staff, to the start of their Costa Rican adventure.

After a dash through customs and to two charter buses, the group was headed toward InBioparque, an ecological park created by Costa Rica’s institute of biodiversity. Every member of the group enjoyed an ethnic Costa Rican lunch, fruit fresher than ever, plus some rice and beans. Once finished with lunch members were briefed on Costa Rica’s unique environment. Members then had the chance to explore the four different forest types found in Costa Rica, encountering a number of animal species native to the tropics.