Are you ready?

 

What are you going to be when you grow up?  Some people know from an early age and never veer off the path to a specific destination in life.  Most of us are unclear or have some kind of an idea, even into adulthood, but we lack that clear picture.  In junior high and high school, we often have a consistent answer that will satisfy the curious about what we want to be or do in life . Somehow the overused answer defines us, even limits us.   So, what are you going to be? 

 

Have you ever seen an episode of MacGyver?  He was the star of a hit television program in the 80s.  He was able to confront a multitude of what seemed to be impossible challenges in every episode.  To the surprise of the weekly viewers, MacGyver was able to demonstrate a skill that fixed or somehow overcame every obstacle that faced him.  His "toolbelt" of skills was diverse, adaptable and well honed.  He knew how to use the right tool for the right job at the right time.  He was a valuable player, indispensable, a linchpin.  While not perfect, he was equipped for life, or at least the one he was living.  I still can't tell you his job title or career field. That did not define him.  

 

While some of the scenarios in the show were a little extreme compared to our daily life, the lesson was clear.  When we continually seek to identify, learn, practice, develop and share general life and job-specific skills, we are preparing our evolving "toolbelt" for life.  Our bases of life (home, faith, family, school, relationships, workplace, community involvement, civic duty, etc.) quickly become covered.   We are then ready to intentionally develop questions, face life's challenges, and find simple yet elegant solutions using our existing resources.  We in a sense can become MacGyvers.  Life becomes an anticipated and welcomed opportunity rather than a dreaded mystery.

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Our program offers a wide and diverse group of skills and methods of teaching.   We develop this group of skills as we explore and learn about our food system, natural resources, and agriculture, how it looks from a local and global perspective and how we respond and interact with it.  Our program also encourages development of skills that are useful in all areas of life and across all industries.  It encourages students to develop natural abilities, self awareness and control.   Agricultural Education/FFA is an unlimited opportunity that does not define you, but helps educate and develop your potential regardless of major, title, grade, occupation, etc. 

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What defines you?   We hope that a major, title, grade, occupation or career never defines you.  We would hope that you would be known as a servant to others, a good friend, a good listener, teachable, articulate, confident, sees opportunity in personal defeat, and knowledgeable about agriculture as you discover the next opportunities in life whether they be college, travel, technical school, a trade, military, a job, or caring for home.  You will be ready.

 

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What should I expect?

 

Our Agricultural Education program offers opportunities to grow and develop in ways you never imagined.  Learn things and go places you never thought you would see.  Meet people and become friends with people from across the nation.  Considering your future is a daunting task.  No matter where you end up, what you are doing, or who you are working with a solid set of skills is necessary.   Here are a few things you can expect to find in our program.

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DEVELOP SKILLS

Soft skills relate more to emotional intelligence and our natural abilities that help us interact well with others. Hard Skills are job-specific skills that are learned through education or training.  They might be known as technical or hard skills.

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MAKE NEW LIKE MINDED FRIENDS

In our chapter, district, state, and around the nation.  Brotherhood

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SERVE OTHERS (LEADERSHIP)

Brotherhood

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TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES

Brotherhood

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HAVE FUN

Brotherhood

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PUBLIC SPEAKING

Brotherhood

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LEARN TIME MANAGEMENT

Brotherhood

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LEARN TO PLAN EVENTS AND RUN MEETINGS

Brotherhood

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LEARN BASIC ACCOUNTING

Brotherhood

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LEARN THE VALUE OF HARD WORK

Brotherhood

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LEARN HOW TO FUNCTION AS A TEAM

Brotherhood

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LEARN FOUNDATIONAL LIFE MANAGEMENT SKILLS

Brotherhood

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PREPARE FOR YOUR FUTURE

personal growth, career success

 

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

 

Brotherhood

 

PROBLEM SOLVING  CONFLICT RESOLUTION

 

Brotherhood

 

THE IMPORTANCE OF NETWORKING

Brotherhood

 

THE VALUE OF AGRICULTURE

 

You may have noticed that the other items on my list don't seem to have anything to do with farming or agriculture. Well, you're wrong. Or kind of right. Half-wrong, I guess. The point I'm trying to make is that the agricultural industry, much like the items on this list, is vast and varied. It isn't just growing crops and milking cows. It's about where your food comes from, the changes it goes through, and how it gets to your plate. It's about studying natural resources and figuring out how to feed the ever-growing world population. There are so many more occupations in agriculture than just farming (even though that is an important one). Food scientists, botanists, chemists, biologists, agribusiness professionals, agricultural & natural resource lawyers, and veterinarians just name a few different fields involved in this dynamic industry. One of the most important parts of FFA is looking at the big picture, at all the cogs and wheels that go into food production. Without agriculture, we don't exist. That is exactly what the FFA teaches members.