On the recordFebruary 16, 2022
Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the National FFA Organization and celebrate National FFA Week, February 19-26, 2022. This is a week to applaud the positive impact FFA has made on our country and acknowledge the accomplishments of its members. Previously known as the Future Farmers of America, the National FFA Organization was founded in 1928 by a group of young farmers with dreams to develop an organization which would address the challenges of feeding a growing population. These young farmers' leadership, experience, and passion for the industry became a movement that, for nearly 100 years, has adapted to represent the entirety of agriculture, not just farming. The National FFA Organization has been an institution where students can grow as both agriculturists and leaders. Today, there are 735,038 FFA members in 8,817 chapters across all 50 States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Washington, DC. In my home State of Arkansas, FFA has 229 chapters with close to 16,000 members. FFA is a part of an integrated model that implements classroom agricultural education and hands-on, experiential learning. I commend the more than 13,000 agricultural science teachers and FFA advisers who prepare the next generation of leaders. It is because of them that we can be confident in the upcoming farmers, ranchers, foresters, agriculturalists, scientists, educators, and those who seek a career outside of the agricultural industry.…





