| FFA Nation

Don't leave FFA behind after graduation

Jessica Mozo | 07/12/2010 |

You may think once you take off your blue jacket for the last time at your chapter's year-end banquet, your FFA involvement is over. But it doesn't have to be.

There are lots of ways you can stay plugged in with FFA after high school, whether it's through Collegiate FFA, the National FFA Alumni Association or local alumni/booster clubs. Here are some ideas:

CONNECT LOCALLY
"Alumni and booster clubs offer the opportunity for former FFA members and supporters of agricultural education to connect with the organization that has meant so much to them," says Lucy Whitehead, program manager for the National FFA Alumni Association. "They really get to see how FFA impacts students and have a hands-on role in the molding and shaping of them. It's very gratifying to know FFA students are well-respected; make great employees; and are innovative, well-rounded individuals who are prepared to face the world."

JOIN NATIONALLY
Another way to continue your FFA involvement is by joining the National FFA Alumni Association. The group is made up of about 48,000 FFA alumni who share a common desire to make FFA students' lives better.
"FFA relies on alumni members for student recruiting; scholarship money; and aiding with camps, conferences, the national FFA convention and other personal development programs," Whitehead says. "Agriculture teachers rely on FFA alumni members and countless volunteers to help ease the outside commitments of teaching and bring more support to agricultural education programs. That gives teachers the freedom to do what they do best – teach students."

DONATE TIME
You can also become part of an FFA Alumni Affiliate, an organized group of individuals who are concerned with the success and growth of their FFA chapter. FFA Alumni Affiliates support FFA advisors, mentor FFA students, educate at school board meetings, chaperone FFA events, raise money for scholarships, help train teams for competition, make the news media aware of FFA and more.

GO COLLEGIATE
If you just couldn't get enough of FFA in high school, you can even continue your involvement in college. Collegiate FFA chapters can be found on many campuses and provide valuable membership benefits, from socializing with the top agriculture students on your campus to helping out with service projects and finding the resources you need to embark on a successful career.