Cooperative Living May 2021 - 18

BuildingCommunity | by Margaret Buranen, Contributing Writer
Left, Virginia FFA officers meet with
then-EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler.
Below, Riley Hines and Kayleigh Hall
of the CL Payne FFA Chapter compete
in the State Fair Virtual Horticulture
Demonstration Contest.
More than Cows and Plows
Virginia FFA helps members prepare for
careers in agriculture and other fields
F
FA's members still wear their signature, navy-blue
corduroy jackets. But the organization has changed a lot
since their fathers were members. For starters, girls are
members now. Several Virginia girls serve as state officers.
Many members are farm kids, but Virginia FFA has chapters
in Alexandria, Richmond and other cities. Members of FFA,
formerly known as Future Farmers of America, still raise
livestock and crops. But they also work on career development
projects focused on forestry, communications, ag technology
and other diverse fields.
FFA members tour agriculture businesses, do community
service work and sponsor fun events, too. They compete as teams
at the state FFA convention and elsewhere. These competitions
test what the students have learned in their ag education classes.
Virginia schools offer 28 different agriculture-related courses.
" Everything we do has a team component because in the
future, students will be working with other people to solve
problems, " explains Andy Seibel, VA FFA's executive secretary
and leader.
LIFELONG FFA
Seibel grew up on a dairy farm and was an FFA member
from seventh grade through high school. His three children
have also been FFA members.
eibel says that in FFA, " We try to prepare young people
[to learn about over 300 agriculture-related careers] and hope
Seibel says that
[to learn about
tto make them pr
ccareers " need to
ccan join in sixth
200
of the schools
hhave to be in on
tto both, " Seibel
o make them productive citizens. "
HHe says that
e says that even students who don't plan on agriculture
Seibel notes that VA FFA has 9,800 members. Students
an join in sixth grade and stay through high school. More than
200 Virginia sch
areers " need to understand where our food comes from. "
Seibel notes
irginia schools offer agriculture-related courses, and each
of the schools must also offer FFA.
A
As for the 4-H
s for the 4-H organization, " We make sure the kids don't
ave to be in one or the other. We're open to them belonging
o both, " Seibel explains, adding that 4-H has more younger
mmembers while
embers while FFA has more high school-age members.
16 | Cooperative Living | May 2021
Seibel says that in FFA, " We try to prepare young people
in FA We try to
prepar
young
people
Faith Dellinger, whose parents are
Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative
members, is VA FFA's state reporter this year.
Like the other state officers, Dellinger is
taking a gap year from school to serve.
" FFA transformed me from a shy
sixth grader to a determined, motivated and
an independent young lady who is ready to
face life after high school, " says Dellinger,
who wants to become a lawyer.
She says that FFA has given her " leadership skills,
[experience in] public speaking, networking, team building,
and helped prepare me for life after high school. "
She stresses that students don't have to want agricultural
careers to enjoy being FFA members. " FFA isn't just all about
cows and plows, but we focus on transforming our members
into confident leaders who are equipped with the tools and
experiences to successfully take on challenges. "
AG ADVOCACY
Morgan Messer
is director of external
affairs and communication
for SVEC. About 10
years ago, she served
on VA's FFA officer team.
" My great-grandfather
was a member of the first chartered FFA chapter in Virginia at
Weyers Cave High School, and my involvement in the
organization made me a fourth-generation FFA member, "
Messer explains.
Part of the sixth generation on her family's beef cattle
farm in Weyers Cave, Messer found that her FFA membership
" prepared me for a career in advocacy, though I didn't know
it while I was a student - I thought I was just learning
public speaking skills. "
She adds, " However, the ability to think on your feet,
extemporaneously speak and find ways to relate to folks
who may not share your same background are skills that
extemporaneously
have served me well in every job I've had. "
speak and find ways to relate to folks
your same background are skills that
in every job I've had. "
Through its competitive events, Messer says FFA taught
her the value of being part of a team.
petitive events, Messer says FFA taught
ng part of a team.
" FFA introduced me to servant leadership - focusing
on the growth and well-being of the team over a position or
title, which is a mentality that I try to relay in my own
me to servant leadership
management style, " she says.
focusing
well-being of the team over a position or
ntality that I try to relay in my own
she says.
FFA strives to offer its members the latest career information.
" Every five years, national FFA leaders meet with industry
Along with such ageless skills as these, Seibel notes that
ational FA leaders meet with industry
ageless skills as these, Seibel notes that
its members the latest career information.
leaders to identify needs and skill sets in these areas, " he says.
eeds and skill sets in these areas, " he says. 
co-opliving.com
PHOTO COURTESY ALISON JONES,
VIRGINIA FFA
PHOTO COURTESY ANDY SEIBEL, VIRGINIA FFA
PHOTO COURTESY ANDY SEIBEL, VIRGINIA FFA
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Cooperative Living May 2021

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