F-F-A Is The Signature of Success For Rewarding Careers By: National FFA Organization London FFA Chapter, LONDON, OH March 13, 2000 When high school students sign up and become an FFA member, they take the first step toward a commitment that can lead to future personal and professional success. Agricultural education, a Supervised Agricultural Experience, and FFA form a solid foundation for students to develop leadership skills, global agricultural knowledge, and practical experience needed to succeed in their careers and everyday life. National FFA Advisor, Dr. Larry D. Case, says that "FFA takes classroom knowledge and brings it to life and provides many opportunities for members to develop self-confidence, leadership skills, and positive values." Dressed in their familiar blue and gold jackets, FFA members are popularly associated with raising animals or growing crops. From this proud heritage, many people are surprised to discover there are more than 300 careers in the business, science, and industry of agriculture. FFA members, from urban, suburban, and rural areas, are preparing for careers in such diverse fields as genetic engineering, marketing, law, and communications. The number of agriculture positions is anticipated to expand as countries depend more on the United States for their food, fiber, and natural resources requirements. FFA members from the United States, Puerto Rico, The Virgin Islands and Guam organized events and activities to build awareness of agricultural education and support during National FFA Week. National FFA Week is held each year during the week of George Washingtons birthday to recognize his leadership and commitment to American agriculture. Financial support for National FFA Week promotional materials is provided by Case Corporation as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. This years theme, "FFA the Signature of Success," illustrates how FFAs programs allow students the opportunity to apply classroom information to real-life situations. Even if students decide not to pursue one of the hundreds of agricultural careers, they benefit from public speaking skills, career experience, and leadership skills gained from the FFA. FFA is a national organization of 450,752 members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business, and technology of agriculture. Local, state, and national programs provide opportunities for students to apply knowledge and skills learned in the classroom. The organization has 7,240 local chapters located throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. FFAs 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. National FFA online, www.fff.org, FFAs internet website, can provide information about the National FFA.