FFA: A Place for all to belong

For more than 1 million members, FFA offers ample opportunities for young people to discover their passions, experience personal growth, learn hands-on work skills and create their own paths.

In May 2024, the National FFA Organization released a Statement of Belonging, which
was approved by the organization’s board
of directors. It reads:

“The National FFA Organization is committed to fostering a welcoming, supportive, engaging, and growth-focused environment for all students. We prioritize the well-being of our members and actively challenge prejudice while promoting a culture of inclusivity where every individual is respected, treated with
dignity, and valued for their unique identities.”

As FFA members, agriculture teachers, supporters and employees, let’s hold each other accountable, take care of one another, and be kind.”

The concept of belonging is not a new notion for FFA. In fact, it’s written into the organization’s federal charter (U.S. Code, Chapter 709 under Title 36).

The charter not only outlines the structure, governance and membership but also states that one of its purposes is “to seek and promote inclusion and diversity in its membership, leadership, and staff to reflect the belief of the FFA in the value of all human beings.”

Over time, the organization has adjusted, expanded and advanced programs for FFA members to engage and feel belonging.

“To prepare members to succeed in workplaces,” said Scott Stump, National FFA CEO. “We reach out to partners and communities, as well as collaborate with our state associations and local chapters. We all want FFA to be accessible to all students.”

At the national level, that means partnering with corporate supporters to remove obstacles hindering participation, such as financial hardships. Through the National FFA Foundation and ADM, a grant-funded pilot program was launched with Illinois State Agricultural Education to impact the least engaged chapters — eight were identified as having the fewest resources and the greatest barriers.

The ADM Illinois Project targeted deeper engagement and representation by providing funds for chapter exchanges, FFA Official Dress, chapter essentials, and participation in national and state FFA conventions for eight FFA chapters. As a result, all eight chapters participated in the National FFA Convention & Expo — for the first time in six years — and the member experience at the state FFA convention was enhanced to build community among underrepresented groups.

Chris Geswein, general manager of Ethanol, ADM Carbohydrate Solutions at ADM, noted that many of the company’s employees are FFA Alumni, and they personify the value of ensuring that FFA is indeed available for and open to all.

Geswein, who is a member of the National FFA Foundation Sponsors’ Board, said, “As a global company, ADM sees the importance of having a workforce that knows how to navigate a diversified agriculture industry and an ever-changing world.”

“Opening up the doors of opportunity to young people in FFA is the best way to make that happen,” Geswein added.

Breaking down language barriers is another way that FFA aims to promote belonging and keep members engaged. Inspired by several state associations that hosted Spanish Creed Speaking Events, National FFA highlighted the Spanish Creed Invitational as a Designated Activity in 2024.

At the local level, members such as Evelyn Tzul Tomas of Albertville FFA in Alabama are creating a welcoming place in FFA for their peers. When she realized that English language learners at her school were hesitant to join FFA, she decided to act.