Joining the FFA is a good way to gain knowledge and life skills. To join FFA requires being in an ag class, so if you are in an ag class you are automatically in FFA.

FFA has many opportunities to benefit anyone in high school and real-world situations. In FFA you can compete in contests that can take you from just a district contest to State and National levels. You can also gain public speaking, communication, leadership, and many other much needed skills.

Some classes that many people benefit from are ag mechanics, horticulture, agriscience, ag internship, and several other classes even if you are not going into the agriculture field as a career.

Junior H’Leigha Idol has been a part of the Doniphan West FFA for all three years of high school. She served as the Greenhand president freshman year, reporter sophomore year, and currently serves as the president. Idol hopes to serve as president her senior year also.

H’Leigha said, “My brothers were the reason I joined FFA. Growing up and seeing all of the fun things that my brothers did in FFA made me want to join. It brought to my attention many opportunities that I could take while being in FFA. These opportunities are ones that no other class offers. Her SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience) is Idol Mowing (Landscaping and turf management). H’Leigha said you just have to WANT to be a part of things and pay attention and the rest will come. 

Rafael Silva, junior, currently serves as the vice president of the Doniphan West FFA. At districts, Rafael was named 23-24 Master Vice President. Rafael joined FFA during his freshman year as he had just moved from Brazil to the US and wanted to learn communication skills and make more friends. He has found that he is very strong in public speaking skills throughout his years. 

Rafael's current SAE is a research-based SAE construction where he builds bridges using different structures to see which one can hold the most weight using the least amount of materials. He said, “It takes drive and determination to be in FFA. FFA gives you many benefits for the future.