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| National FFA President Levy Randolph |
NATIONAL FFA WEEK TO BE OBSERVED IN SOUTH CAROLINA
COLUMBIA, SC…FFA members throughout the state will join in observing National FFA Week, February 20-27, 2010. The primary focus of the observance is to emphasize the importance of Agricultural Education at a time when agribusiness is the number one industry in the state and nation.
A highlight of the observance in South Carolina this year will include the SC FFA-sponsored State Legislators Appreciation Day in Columbia on Wednesday, February 24. The event will include visits by FFA members with their respective legislative delegations, a ceremony on the State House steps and an FFA Week Celebration Luncheon at the State Fair Grounds featuring an address by National FFA President Levy Randolph of Hemet, California.
Originally known as the Future Farmers of America, the group’s name was changed in recent years to the National FFA Organization to include students who are interested in and preparing for one of the more than 300 career opportunities in the science, business or technology of agriculture.
Today, membership of the national organization has grown to over 500,000 with local chapters in every state, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Membership in the organization is about equally divided between rural, suburban and urban communities. There are FFA chapters in some of the largest cities in America because of the increasing interest of students in agribusiness, food science and natural resources.
The state FFA officer team includes Kerry Lee Cox of Latta, president; Anna Kate Waters of Anderson, secretary; and vice presidents Kelsey Bridges of Clover, Lena Freeman of Union, Emmanuel Bankston of Beaufort and Gordon Best of Loris.
“The mission of the FFA is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through Agricultural Education,” according to John W. Parris, state director of pubic affairs with the FFA organization.