FFA - Not Just a Rural Thing

Texas FFA and 4-H programs are absolutely the best when it comes to training future leaders, developing responsible citizens and opening up minds to the big world we live in – without abandoning the heritage that brought us to the level of prosperity we enjoy today.

Even more interesting is that these programs attract a multitude of students who may not be engaged or have a history in production agriculture. Folks, that is a good thing.

With only 2 percent of our population actually engaged in production agriculture, we need allies; we need bright thinkers in related fields; and we desperately need more people in this world who have an appreciation and abiding respect for the role our farmers and ranchers play in enabling us to have a safe society through a safe and abundant food supply.

I encourage you to read this USA Today article that defines some real successes among those urban students who have participated in these outstanding leadership programs. The byline says St. Louis, but the story could easily be duplicated in any city in Texas.

A visit from the future leaders of Texas agriculture

Take a look below at the picture of the 2009-2010 Texas FFA officers. These young men and women represent hope and opportunity for Texas agriculture. They were in Austin recently and we had the chance to discuss their futures, the future of Texas and the future of Texas agriculture.

L-R front row: Allison Grainger, State President, Brenham FFA; Commissioner Staples; Tyler Brandfield, Boerne FFA; Katie Heinrich, Lubbock-Cooper FFA; Layton Norwood, Prairiland FFA and Miles Vann, Wellman-Union FFA. Back row: Jeremiah Miller, S&S Consolidated FFA; Kody Kale, Falls City FFA; Aron Hutchins, Stephenville FFA; Dakotah Williams, Glen Rose FFA and Kalen McLaurin; Big Sandy FFA.

While not all of these young leaders will go into a career field directly tied to agriculture, each will be a lifetime ambassador for agriculture. Each will be able to tell the story of the perseverance, tenacity and, yes, stubbornness required of every farmer and rancher who works daily to provide us with the most reliable, safest and most affordable food supply in the world.

If you don't already, please take time to volunteer to help the FFA program or agriculture department at your high school, or call your county extension agent and ask how you can help with your local 4-H clubs. Your future literally depends on it.

Leon County 4-H Council Visits TDA

Texas is fortunate to have many youth leadership and development programs, and 4-H is certainly one of the best. This week, a group of 4-H'ers from Leon County stopped by my office with their extension agents, Wendy and Tommy Neyland, as well as Leon County Judge Byron Ryder.

I represented Leon County when I first became a state representative back in 1995,and that’s when I first worked with Tommy Neyland, an FFA teacher during those days, and with Judge Ryder who was then Mayor of Buffalo. It is so good to see today’s leaders investing in their young people to cultivate leaders for the future.

Texas will be in good hands as these young students become adult leaders themselves.