Why Join FFA?
"FFA is a dynamic youth organization that changes lives and prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education." -National FFA Organization
Locally, our chapter participates in community events and plans their own fun events such as Petting Zoos, Agriculture Olympics, Food For America, Fun Activities, Highway Cleanup, Tours, Chapter Banquet, and more! We also attend state sanctioned events such as conferences and conventions. Nationally, the New London FFA attends the National FFA Convention and participates in the Washington Leadership Conference (WLC)
Through FFA, there are many experiences and opportunities. You can join Career Development Events (CDE's) and Leadership Development Events (LDE's), do Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE's), go to conferences and conventions, and so much more! Plus, you do NOT have to be enrolled in an agriculture class to be a member in FFA!
What is a CDE?
A CDE is a Career Development Event, and they do exactly what it says: Career Development. There are 26 various CDE's you can join, such as: Agricultural Communications, Agriculture Sales, Ag Mechanics, Agronomy, Dairy Cattle Evaluation, Dairy Cattle Handling, Environmental and Natural Resources, Farm and Agribusiness Management, Floriculture, Food Science and Technology, Forestry, Horse Evaluation, Livestock Evaluation, Marketing Plan, Meats Evaluation and Technology, Milk Quality and Products, Nursery/Landscape, Poultry Evaluation, Veterinary Science and Wildlife and Forestry.
What is a SAE?
SAE stands for Supervised Agricultural Experience. You can submit an SAE by submitting a Proficiency Award. There are four types of proficiency awards. Placement, which is an SAE relating to employment, apprenticeships, or internships related to agriculture. Entrepreneurship proficiency awards are SAE's related to ownership of agribusiness, or agriculture-related enterprise. Combined proficiency awards are not split up into entrepreneurship or placement, but can combine both. Agriscience Research is an SAE involves planning and conducting an agriculturally based scientific experiment. There are so many areas in which a SAE can take place, such as plant systems, animal systems, food science, and even agribusiness. Proficiency awards are recognized at local, state, and national levels. These awards can be filled out by any member who has a SAE that relates to the project description.
What is a LDE?
LDE stands for Leadership Development Event. They are also called speaking contests. LDE's that you can join are: Agricultural Issues, Conduct Opening Ceremonies, Creed Speaking, Employment Skills, Extemporaneous Speaking, Parliamentary Procedure, and Prepared Public Speaking.
What Conferences or Conventions can I Attend?
There are many conventions and conferences that FFA members can attend: EDGE (Experiencing Discovery, Growth, and Excellence) for 7th and 8th grade members. FIRE (Foundations in Reaching Excellence) for 7th, 8th, and 9th grade members. 212° is for 9th and 10th graders. 211° is hot, but 212° is the boiling point of water, taking it up a level. 212° is in the spring and the fall. 360° conference is for 11th and 12th graders. They take a full circle in chapter leadership. SLW (Sectional Leadership Workshop) is for officers and members to learn more about how to improve their chapter. Halftime conference is for officers so they can keep a creative spark for their chapter during the second semester. State Convention is where members are recognized for their hard work and accomplishments, and also compete in more competitions. National Convention is a 5 day convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. It is a super fun time, and you get so much to take away!