A vital industry being nurtured: the important work of the North Carolina FFA

According to the NC Chamber, agriculture has a significant impact on the economy of North Carolina. The industry contributes $103 billion to the economy annually and employs one out of every six people in the state. Still, the industry is challenged by various issues, including an uncertain talent pipeline. To help protect and strengthen the future of the agricultural industry in North Carolina, the North Carolina FFA Association works with students and educators to develop a new generation of talent.

According to the website, the FFA is, "a dynamic youth organization that changes lives and prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education."

The FFA achieves these goals by providing leadership and educational resources to over 600 educators in North Carolina as well as providing a membership-based program for students starting as early as 6th grade. Some of the opportunities provided by FFA include on-site visits, professional development programs, and life-changing experiences for more than 65,000 agricultural education students enrolled in those courses.

Explaining the importance of agricultural education, Joshua Bledsoe, the State Agricultural Education Leader and State FFA Advisor, said: "I believe agricultural education does two things. It is the talent pipeline for the agriculture industry and provides life-changing experiences for students. Agricultural Education is important because our state's number one industry is agriculture. Our job in agricultural education is to educate, equip, and train young people to enter that industry. The very first job on Earth was a farmer and I believe the last job will be a farmer. We prepare students to go into production agriculture and 255 other careers that support production agriculture. Any economy and society needs to have a great supply of food. In this way, agriculture is the foundation of our economy."

In addition to educational programming and other specific member benefits, FFA hosts programs, conferences, and other events throughout the year, including the state FFA convention with more than 3,500 students in attendance. At these conferences, students develop their leadership, grow personally, and receive recognition for their accomplishments.

"Students take the knowledge and skills they learn in the classroom and apply it in career and leadership development events. The North Carolina FFA Center at White Lake - one of the oldest FFA camps in the United States - hosts the annual camping program during the summer for our FFA members. There, students develop their leadership and teamwork skills while networking with other students across the state," Bledsoe said.

Beyond these events occurring at the state level, local involvement is incredibly important for FFA. "At the local high school or middle school level is where students engage with a committed quality agriculture teacher," Bledsoe said. He believes the experiences students have at this level have a critical impact. Some of those experiences include holding an office, being involved in a committee, or utilizing laboratory facilities, such as a greenhouse or an animal science facility. Through these experiences, students engage in learning opportunities and connect with their communities.

Schools and communities see the benefits of creating students and leaders with this critical knowledge. In fact, because of its legacy in North Carolina (FFA can trace its roots back to before the 1920s) many current agricultural innovators credit FFA for their ability to keep North Carolina moving forward in this important industry. Because of that, the FFA enjoys continued support from the communities it has impacted.

Bledsoe said, "We have a variety of organizations, associations, and individuals who believe in the mission of FFA. Financial contributions help us provide events, scholarships, and grants that help students fund those local projects and programs. I genuinely appreciate supporters who also volunteer their time and talent to help us with events. We lean on the expertise of our agricultural industry friends across the state to provide relevant up-to-date content which prepares students to enter the workforce in agriculture."

One of those organizations to provide support is Whitley Law Firm. Ben Whitley, Managing Partner at Whitley Law Firm, said, "As a proud native of Eastern North Carolina, I've always held a deep appreciation for the tireless dedication and invaluable contributions of our farmers. Their hard work sustains our communities and fuels our economy. At Whitley Law Firm, we're honored to support the FFA, recognizing that investing in the next generation of agricultural leaders is investing in the future of our region and beyond."