This week is National FFA Week, running through February 28th, and students with the Tall Corn FFA Chapter at Hampton-Dumont-CAL High School are celebrating the organization’s role in preparing young people for careers in agriculture and leadership.
Ben Harvey is the vice president of the Tall Corn FFA Chapter and encourages students to get involved, telling RadioOnTheGo News the skills learned go far beyond the classroom.
“I’d push you to join too because the connections you make, the people you meet, the places you can see, the different competitions, the learning skills you can learn. I mean, it’s just a whole different variety of things you can get out of one chapter. And especially the friends, the friendships you make now will last you forever and you’ll never go back on them. I wouldn’t change my mind if I were to go back and start over again. I would join FFA all the way through.”
Members gain hands-on experience in areas like public speaking, leadership and teamwork, along with a deeper understanding of agriculture and business. Sub-district FFA contests were held across Iowa last week and Mia Schrock, president of the chapter, says these experiences help students grow personally and professionally.
“My competition was prepared public speaking, so I got to prepare a speech and rehearse that a little bit and then present that. And I think it just prepares me to be able to talk to people. And even though it’s kind of nerve wracking when you’re actually doing it, to give the speech, it makes it a lot easier to go up and start a conversation with someone, or it gives you more confidence to just talk to people.”
H-D-CAL FFA chapter members will be celebrating the rest of National FFA Week with themed dress-up days: Wednesday is blue collar day, Thursday is USA day, and Friday is FFA spirit day, showcasing the impact the organization has on their school and community.
Full interview with Mia and Ben below
