In the greater Arlington area there are many kids who have grown up in agriculture environments. For students looking for opportunities to continue to grow their knowledge as well as take part in community activities FFA offers many different ways to do so.
FFA helps teach students useful skills for the future, things like responsibility and leadership show up in the meetings that are held and run by students. As well as the ability to take care of and raise animals. Working together to create a fun and educational environment helps shape many students’ lives and futures.
“A lot of the skills that they’re teaching in FFA and in any agriculture-based class, we’re losing those skills over time, because everyone’s going for trades because they make more money, but we need food. We need those things for us to live, so it’s very, very important. And leadership, obviously, is important in every aspect of life,” Ini Ray (‘26) said.
As well as learning different skills students are able to participate and compete in many different activities. They compete as teams and individually at fairs and jamborees against other FFA students in the area as well as from all over the country.
“FFA for me is a club that helps people learn more about agriculture, and it helps bring… you to make new friends and enjoy the community and agriculture and also being a part in something…There’s a lot of things involved with leadership, being on time most of the time, going to practices, being determined to learn things, whether you do speaking, vet science… Each one of them takes a lot of determination on your part to do” Dilen Vigil De Leon (‘26) said.
With all of the responsibilities that comes with being in such a hands on club. Students learn how to work together, better their leadership, and speak in front of people. This club helps bring individuals out of their shell and push them to put them into their community while learning real world skills for any field they may decide to go into.
“You also do a lot of agriculture stuff, and you’ll talk a lot in front of people and learn how to do all that …It benefits students by becoming, again, a better leader, and you’re able to do real-world stuff,” Josie Stavang (‘29) said.
