THE FFA MISSIONFFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potentialfor premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agriculturaleducation. The National FFA Organization motto is: Learning to Do; Doing toLearn; Earning to Live; Living to Serve.

MEMBERSHIPThe FFA membership of 506,199 and 7,429 chapters represents all 50 states, as wellas Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. FFA is a diverse organization, operating in rural,urban and suburban schools. Students aged 12-21 enrolled in agricultural educationprograms are eligible for membership.

SCIENCE, BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGYThe organization changed its name in 1988 from Future Farmers of America to theNational FFA Organization to reflect its evolution in response to expandedagricultural opportunities encompassing science, business and technology in additionto production farming. FFA members, who may enter the workforce directly from highschool or pursue higher degrees through technical schools and four-year universities,are preparing for careers in agricultural marketing, processing, communications,education, horticulture, production, natural resources, forestry, agribusiness andother diverse agricultural fields.

STRUCTUREFFA operates on local, state and national levels. Student members belong to chaptersorganized at the local school level. Agriculture educators serve as chapter advisors.Chapters are organized under state associations headed by an advisor and executivesecretary, often employees of the state department of education. States conductprograms and host annual conventions. The National FFA Organization, governed bya board of directors, charters state associations; provides direction, programmaterials and support; and hosts the national FFA convention, which draws morethan 50,000 attendees annually. The National FFA Alumni Association, with amembership of more than 47,000, assists students in the continued growth anddevelopment of active FFA programs.

CAREER PREPARATIONThe agricultural education program provides a well-rounded, practical approach tolearning through three components: classroom education in agricultural topics suchas plant and animal sciences, horticulture, forestry, agrimarketing, etc.; hands-onsupervised agricultural experience such as starting a business or working for anestablished company; and FFA, which provides leadership opportunities and testsstudents' agricultural skills. Programs and Activities Local, state and national FFAprograms and activities help members develop public speaking skills, conduct andparticipate in meetings, manage financial matters, strengthen problem-solvingabilities and assume civic responsibilities. Degrees earned at local, state and nationallevels recognize members' increasing accomplishments.

STUDENT LEADERSHIPFFA members elect their own officers and plan and conduct activities withsupervision from their chapter advisors. A team of six national officers, typicallycollege students taking a year out of their studies, plays a key role in planning thenational convention and other events, traveling more than 100,000 miles duringtheir year of service representing FFA.

HEADQUARTERSThe National FFA Organization is headquartered at the U.S. Department of Educationas a part of agricultural, food and natural resources education in the Office ofVocational and Adult Education. The business center of the National FFAOrganization is located at the National FFA Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.

NATIONAL FFA ORGANIZATION6060 FFA Drive, P.O. Box 68960 Indianapolis, IN 46268-0960Telephone 317-802-6060 Fax 317-802-6061www.ffa.org

MEMBERSHIP•42% of FFA members are female;women hold more than 47% of stateleadership positions.

• 89% of FFA members are in grades9-12, 7% are in grades 7-8 and 4%are high school graduates.

• 66% of FFA members live inrural/farm areas, 9% live in urbanand suburban areas and 25% live insmall towns.

• FFA chapters are in 16 of the 20largest U.S. cities, including NewYork, Chicago and Philadelphia.

EDUCATION•More than 10,000 agricultureteachers deliver an innovative,cutting-edge and integratedcurriculum to students.

• 92% of agricultural educationprograms offer agriscience, 71%offer advanced agriscience andbiotechnology, 59% offer agriculturalmechanics, 49% offer horticulture,43% offer animal science and 24%offer environmentrelated courses.

• 23% of agriculture teachers have fiveor fewer years of teachingexperience.

• The shortage of qualified agricultureteachers is the greatest challengefacing FFA and agriculturaleducation.

CAREER EXPLORATION• FFA members participate in hands-onwork experiences, allowing them toapply knowledge learned in class.

•Collectively, FFA members earn $4billion annually through their hands-on work experiences.

•Members participate in and learnadvanced career skills in 47 nationalproficiency areas based on theirhands-on work experiences rangingfrom food science and technology toagricultural communications towildlife management to productionagriculture.

•According to the student magazinereadership study, 87% of ourstudents are interested in learningabout career exploration, 81% aboutcollege preparation and 81% abouttechnology.

• Through 23 national careerdevelopment events and one activity,FFA members are challenged by real-life, hands-on tests of skills thatprepare them for career success.

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The National FFA Organization affirms its belief in the value of all human beings and seeks diversity in its membership, leadership and staff as an equalopportunity employer. Agricultural Education prepares students for successful careers and a lifetime of informed choices in the global agriculture, food, fiberand natural resources systems. The National FFA Organization is a resource and support organization that does not select, control or supervise stateassociation, local chapter or individual member activities. Education materials are developed by FFA in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Education asa service to state and local agricultural education agencies. © 2009 National FFA Organization