U.S. Reps. Tracey Mann (R-KS) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), co-chairs of the Congressional FFA Caucus, led 58 of their colleagues in introducing a resolution to designate Feb. 21 to 28 as National FFA Week.
U.S. Sens. Todd Young (R-IN) and Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
“Happy National FFA Week,” Rep. Mann said. “This week, more than one million FFA members will reflect on the impact of the National FFA Organization and its role in shaping the next generation of leaders in food and agriculture. Those of us who have had the honor of wearing the blue jacket understand the lasting impact FFA has on molding and equipping young leaders to succeed. Across the country, FFA members will fulfill our motto—‘Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, and Living to Serve’— through service projects, educational showcases, and engagement in their communities. As a past chapter FFA officer from Quinter, Kansas, proud FFA alumnus, and founder of the Congressional FFA Caucus, I’m honored to introduce this resolution.”
“Our nation is yearning and ready for the next generation of young farmers, ranchers, and producers to continue the United States’ agricultural leadership,” Rep. Panetta said. “This bipartisan resolution recognizes the vital contributions of the National FFA Organization in training leaders who are ready to bolster both American food security and innovation. I am proud to once again work with my FFA Caucus co-chair, Rep. Mann, to support the men and women who proudly wear the blue jacket so that they can help move our agriculture and our country forward.”
“Thanks to FFA, more young people have opportunities to pursue careers in agriculture and related fields,” said House Ag Committee Chairman GT Thompson, R-PA. “Agriculture provides the food, fiber, and fuel that keeps America going, but it will be nothing without the next generation. I am proud to celebrate FFA and all it does to inspire and encourage our youth.”
“Montana is home to nearly 6,700 FFA members across more than 100 chapters and plays a vital role in fostering the next generation of Montana’s agricultural community,” said U.S. Rep. Troy Downing, R-MT.
“Since 1928, Nebraska FFA has helped shape our state’s next generation of agricultural leaders, equipping young people with the skills, experience, and passion needed to feed and fuel our world,” said Rep. Adrian Smith, R-NE.”I am proud to cosponsor this year’s National FFA Week resolution and join members across the country in celebrating the extraordinary work of the National FFA Organization. With dedicated young leaders like these stepping forward, I have no doubt the future of American agriculture is bright.”
“FFA made a big impact on my life, instilling leadership skills while I was in high school that I carry with me to this day,” U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, R-MO, said. “FFA continues to provide high quality agriculture education, as well as valuable lessons in leadership and personal growth for the next generation and I’m proud to celebrate National FFA Week.”
“I’m proud to cosponsor the National FFA Week resolution and to recognize the extraordinary young leaders who are shaping the future of American agriculture,” said U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-MO. “During National FFA Week, we celebrate the students who rise before dawn to tend to livestock, who study science and technology in the classroom, and who serve their communities with integrity and grit. FFA is more than an organization, it’s a pathway to leadership, innovation, and opportunity in rural and urban communities alike. As we honor National FFA week, we recommit to supporting the next generation of farmers, ranchers, scientists, and agricultural entrepreneurs who keep our nation fed, fueled, and thriving.”
“FFA is raising up the next generation of ag and community leaders here in Nebraska and all across the country,” said Rep. Mike Flood, D-NE. “Their work is making a huge difference. This week, Congress salutes the FFA chapters in every corner of America that are teaching young leaders the skills they need to be civically engaged and to take the great paying jobs available in our ag economy.”
“The FFA has a long, proud tradition of engaging young Americans eager to grow the crops and livestock which keep our pantries full,” said U.S. Rep. Harriett Hageman, R-WY. “The world-class personal and professional development programs of this key organization are curriculums to be admired by every industry. Wyoming’s nearly 5,000 members are the farmers and ranchers of tomorrow carrying the cowboy legacy of grit and determination to feed their neighbors. Recognizing the work of the FFA is critical to cultivating the next generation who will carry on our agricultural heritage as the global breadbasket.”
The National FFA Organization is a congressionally chartered school-based national youth leadership organization of more than 1,042,245 student members as part of 9,400 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Washington DC, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Reps. Mann and Panetta are co-chairs the Congressional FFA Caucus, with more than 60 members. Reps. Mann and Panetta originally launched the Congressional FFA Caucus in December 2021. The caucus serves to raise the profile of school-based agricultural education and FFA and to develop relationships between Congress and the next generation of leaders in food and agriculture.
