Future Farmers of America: Growing Leaders

West Greene’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) is boldly heading into the future with the leaders of tomorrow. A program that was headed by the late Byron Hughes, whose passion for agriculture made the forward progress of West Greene’s (WG) program what it is today. That passion was passed on to Curt Hughes, Byron’s son, who taught for 37 years at WG. Their leadership over the years led to participation of numerous FFA teams with multiple state winnings. 

In the beginning of WG’s FFA, Byron’s passion had him seeking programs to further the rise of FFA in our area. Byron encouraged Curt to continue the pursuit of new technology for the future of FFA, and Curt was inspired to pursue his degree and carry the program into tomorrow. The baton has now passed to Karlie Wright, the Agricultural Educator and West Greene FFA Advisor for the West Greene School District. With Matt Snyder’s help, the WG FFA’s leaders of tomorrow are striding into the future with program growth and innovative technology. 

According to Karlie, when growing up in the Greene County area she never really saw herself as a teacher, or agriculture teacher. However, Curt knew to maintain the current progress of the WG FFA another person with the passion and desire to foster the program with today’s innovations was needed. He saw this ability in Karlie and encouraged her to become the next leader of WG’s FFA, directing it into the future with the strong mentoring program to continue growth. Curt wasn’t wrong and the energy of the FFA movement has garnered the support of the community. 

Curt’s desire to foster program growth and incorporate more technology that led to Karlie’s professional direction as teacher and WG’s ag teacher, soon had the board planning for an entire “Science Way”. Surrounded by an extremely supportive community, WG renovated facilities, including overhauling labs and the art department at the WG high school. These reformations enabled more students to become active in the FFA programs.

The FFA is often represented in our local fairs with their livestock and produce projects, but they offer even more opportunities. WG’s general science curriculum design is based on a three-circuit model, incorporating 1/3 classroom lab, 1/3 FFA activities, and 1/3 SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience). The SAE is completed 100% outside school time and involves regular visits from the agricultural teachers to offer guidance and check progress. This approach has more kids involved with more projects that are building their skills. Taking the innovative approach to today’s markets, kids projects include floral design and welding, to name just two. 

One of the ways the cumulative success of these projects and development of these students can be seen is in their green house, where they have 450 hanging baskets and a multitude of plants and vegetables for sale. They hold a harvest festival in the fall and a “Hello to Hope Golf Tournament.” The tournament raises awareness for Down Syndrome. 

The students, as the Chief Operating Officer of their SAE projects, are required to design a business plan detailing their project’s direction and maintain “journal entries on finances in an organized record format,” according to Kiley Meek. Kiley attributes FFA with providing her with opportunity to develop into a team officer. “It greatly impacted my life to be an officer on a team by helping me develop negotiating skills, learn to solve problems, and make decisions in a team environment.”

FFA student’s positive presence in the community helps to further educate the public on what FFA does. Community involvement in addition to raising and showing livestock at the fair is a part of the network of activities where FFA students thrive. Through community outreach like volunteering at the Farm Bureau’s Ice Cream Booth at the fair, students are recognized for more than just their business skills in raising and showing livestock. 

Ben Archer, a member of the FFA, says, “I wouldn’t be what I am today without FFA.” Growing up, Ben was shy and scared to talk with people. The skills he gained through participation in FFA programs led to Ben competing in speaking contests. His skills earned him a fourth-place award as an extemporaneous speaker at the 2021 Pennsylvania State FFA Convention. Ben adds, “If I had not joined the FFA program, I would still be that shy, scared kid”. 

The FFA is developing the leaders of tomorrow by helping them learn the important skills they need to face the future of agriculture, the world, and as participants in our communities.