Students from across the nation, including Breanne Brammer, Ashley Huffman and Kristin Critten of the Gallatin FFA Chapter, attended the 2010 Washington Leadership Conference (WLC) in the nation’s capital July 20-24. The conference is an activity of the National FFA Organization, sponsored by Monsanto as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.
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The week-long program helps FFA members improve their leadership skills and prepare for leadership roles in their chapters, communities and future careers. They attended sessions on developing authentic leadership, serving their communities and participating in civic engagement. They also participate in service learning events.
"We live in an increasingly competitive world," says Dr. Larry Case, National FFA Advisor and Coordinator, Agricultural and Rural Education with the U.S. Department of Education. "Tomorrow’s leaders must develop skills in these areas to effectively compete. Every student leaves WLC with an advantage because it gives those young people cutting-edge leadership skills and valuable insight for productive citizenship."
The National FFA Organization coordinates WLC, with the sponsorship of Monsanto, which attracts participants from across the country. This summer, more than 2,000 FFA members will attend one of the conference’s seven week-long sessions. Monsanto is dedicated to the future success of agriculture by investing more than one million dollars in the National FFA Foundation in 2010 as part of a broad commitment to support agricultural youth.
Students also increase their understanding of the nation’s heritage with visits to Arlington National Cemetery, the Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt Memorials and other historic sites in Washington, D.C. A highlight of the week was a visit to the office of their local U.S. Representative or Senator.
The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 506,199 student members – all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture – as part of 7,429 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The National FFA Organization changed to its present name in 1988, in recognition of the growth and diversity of agriculture and agricultural education.
The FFA mission 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. The National FFA Organization operates under a Federal Charter granted by the 81st Congress of the United States, and is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. Visit www.ffa.org for more information.