WIDE FIELDS OF OPPORTUNITY

Agricultural careers go beyond the farm, FFA members say

After traveling to Indianapolis for their convention last month, FFA members were treated to a trip through hundreds of miles of America by merely walking down a hallway.

That's because The Hall of States showcased what is exceptional about agriculture in 38 states and Puerto Rico.

California's booth, which was awarded the "best state presentation," sported a life-size cow decked out in mums and carnations because those are the top-produced flowers in the state. To create it, California FFA members used the technology used to make floats for the Rose Bowl parade.

At the Kentucky booth, visitors could pretend to be racing in the Kentucky Derby by poking their heads through a cutout in a picture of a jockey.

About 55,000 FFA members hobnobbed with counterparts from across the nation during their 79th national conference, Oct. 25-28. It featured all sorts of events, from concerts to career fairs. Many participants engaged in a state scavenger hunt, doing their best to meet and greet someone from each state and get each one's autograph and address in an FFA pamphlet as proof.

Going to the Hall of States was like visiting Costco on a Saturday morning. Those who stopped by Alabama's display could munch on the state's largest crop: peanuts. New Hampshire's booth offered small cups of maple syrup. Other booths shared potato chips, taffy and soybeans. At Texas' booth, big letters proclaimed: "Other states were carved or born, but Texas grew from hides and horns."

The Alaska booth featured this slogan: "Alaska's Natural Resources and Agriculture Keep Us from Being COLD AND HUNGRY." FFA members from that state made the point that their state has 15 million acres of land suitable for farming.

The center of the hall teemed with young people in blue corduroy jackets bearing the names of their hometowns and states in big "corn gold" letters on the back.

Recorded bluegrass and country melodies, such as "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow," resounded throughout the Indiana Convention Center in Downtown Indianapolis. Smells of Starbucks coffee and pepperoni pizza filled the center, where kids strolled elbow to elbow. It looked more like a crowded New York City street than the largest-ever gathering of agricultural students in Indiana's history.

FFA members swarmed through the center, teaching, learning, volunteering and raising awareness on agricultural issues. Each booth contained students eager to share about the agricultural advantages of their states. One female student thrust stickers onto passers-by.

Mike Kolakoski, 17, a fourth-generation family farmer, explained to passers-by the features of the Massachusetts booth, including an elaborate model of the four seasons of the year, featuring the state's different agricultural products. The Kolakoskis' 200-acre farm in South Deerfield, Mass., grows hay, as well as corn for silage.

Scope has widened

The FFA was founded in 1928 in Kansas City, Mo., as the Future Farmers of America, but changed its name to the National FFA Organization in 1988 to highlight the expanding field of agriculture. Today, agriculture encompasses more than 300 careers, from forestry to biotechnology. The National FFA Center is in on Indianapolis' Northwestside.

"We try to tell them that it's not always about farming," explained Kayla Moody, 16, a Delaware resident. "It's more. It's not like going out on the farm and milking a cow every day. We try to go away from that label."

Kayla herself does not live on a farm; instead, she participates in agricultural sales and other FFA programs.

Through FFA programs, members hone public speaking, problem solving and leadership skills. In addition, members learn to manage finances, conduct meetings, contribute to the community and take on civic responsibilities.

Kayla said she was planning to attend workshops about leadership and communication at the conference. Dozens were offered for students and teachers.

Why get involved with agriculture?

Travis Jett, who just finished his term as president of the National FFA, noted that the field is growing so fast that it can't fill 1,000 agriculture-related jobs a year that require college degrees.

Kaitlin Pence, 18, pointed out that almost every career and many hobbies have a connection to agriculture.

"Odds are it's gonna be related to agriculture in some way -- whether it's working with a restaurant as a chef or just being a gardener at your own home.

"We are able to support our country and our communities," added Kaitlin, who lives in Williamsport, Ind. "We can say, 'We planted this. We harvested it.' "

As the daughter of a farmer, Kaitlin has an ingrained love and respect for agriculture. She and her brother show sheep at events across the United States.

"Without agriculture, we wouldn't have the nice clothes that we have, or food on our tables."

ASSISTANT EDITOR: Amber Carter, 17.

REPORTERS: Utah Davis-Kinsey, 12; Hrishi Deshpande, 11; Luke Nadolski, 12; Alyse Phillips, 11; and Tommaso Verderame, 13.

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Some fun facts

FFA

Founded in 1928 by 33 farm boys.

More than 70 percent of its members now are from nonfarm areas, including suburbs and cities.

Membership is 495,046 students, with chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Awarded $1.9 million in scholarships last year; one of every eight students who applied received an FFA scholarship.

 

Indiana

Ranks first in layer chickens and produces more ducks than any other state.

Ranks fifth in corn production.

Has more than 63,000 farms with 15.4 million acres of farmland.

Second-largest producer of popcorn in the nation.

Sources: National Agricultural Statistics Service; FFA conference and Web site: www.ffa.org; Indiana Agriculture in the Classroom