Texas FFA Convention

Dunk is headed to Lubbock Texas. It is time for the Texas Future Farmers of America. Texas has a large group of FFAers numbering at 62,000 members, with over 985 chapters in Texas. This group not only produces future farmers, but also their competitions are heavy into math, science, technology and leadership. Math and Science is important for the future jobs to stay in the USA. I of course was not in FFA; they did not have it in the suburbs where I grew up. Hubby is FFA alumni, state winning alumni. It is a proud tradition that he passed on to two of his kids. You can learn about floriculture, matter of fact you can learn about all sorts of things for future employment. Choices are important for kids, not all kids will end up in college. Although there is scholarship money for college through FFA, my favorite thing that FFA teaches is business organization.

In a very basic way, a student learns the reality of money going in and expenses. Through projects, there are feed costs, vet costs, housing costs, and fencing costs documented. Before Dunk took FFA, he worked on the farm, the farm being the family farm Dunk never had a clue to what the cost of anything was until he took FFA. Suddenly all the years we tried to explain that until the crops came in we didn’t have extra money. When you raise a baby goat for 9 months to show, then wait for a check after you show. Suddenly money and expenses make sense.

The leadership part of FFA is the fact that FFA teaches parliamentary procedure. Many lawyers first learned about Roberts Rules through FFA. In short, it gives kids opportunities that would not exist without FFA. My only stumble with it is the fact that FFA is only through schools, homeschoolers are not allowed to participate, it is a class curriculum.

Monday is the day the blue corduroy jackets with black slacks and skirts will show up like a wave of FFA. Blue jackets, white shirts, and black slacks and skirts are the official dress of FFA. Just like any other convention there are sessions and awards. Tuesday night the Eli Young Band will play for the Texas FFA Convention. Each year a Texas band plays at the convention. There is a rodeo, a speaking contest an Agri-science Fair, a talent contest, and scholarships passed out. It will be a jam-packed week and by Friday, Lubbock will see the sea of blue and black head out to all parts of Texas.

The Future Farmers of America has many notable alumni but I chose to include who I think is interesting. Steve Doocey of Fox News, Matthew Fox of Lost, Tuff Hedeman of Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame bull rider, Lyle Lovett singer of the great Texas song “That’s right you are not from Texas”, Don Henley of The Eagles band, Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry, Willie Nelson singer, Jim Davis creator of Garfield. Plus numerous business owners and chairperson of huge companies. There is a very long list of congressional representatives, senators and one president are also on the alumni list.

Stumble It!