PUEBLO COUNTY
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The FFA Greenhands (Ag 1 students) proudly display their FFA jackets. Courtesy Photo
Rye High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) members in the Ag One class attended the annual Being Involved as a Greenhand (BIG) conference at the Colorado State Fair Grounds in Pueblo on September 21. The high school students who are new to FFA had a chance to find out more about the organization and what it has to offer at the conference. The BIG conference is designed specifically to help beginning FFA members get excited about the organization they’ve joined and meet other members.
Throughout the day the FFA members spent time thinking about what interests them, how they want to become involved in FFA, and what they want to accomplish through their time in agriculture education.
The students were able to meet the 2023-24 Colorado State FFA Officer Team who managed the conference activities. The officers talked about what students will get an opportunity to learn about in the classroom and through FFA.
The students learned about the three circles of agricultural education; FFA, classroom Ag learning, where direct learning through classroom instruction and activities takes place, and the Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE) program, and how all three are connected.
An SAE is an experience, service, or work-based learning project. The state officers talked about the various things students can do for their SAE. Students learned their SAE doesn’t have to be just raising and showing animals, but covers many opportunities.
In October, Cody Dodge was honored as the RHS SAE for his work at Greenhorn Valley Ace Hardware.
The officers also talked about Career Development Events (CDEs) students can compete in. Students were encouraged to try different events and challenge themselves with the many opportunities that FFA has to offer including competitions, conferences, and state and national conventions.
In 1988, the official name was changed from the Future Farmers of America to the National FFA Organization. This change was made to recognize that FFA is not only for those interested in farming, but it is also for those with more diverse interests in the industry of agriculture, encompassing science, business, and technology in addition to production farming.
The Colorado FFA is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. FFA will give the students the tools and skills that they need to believe in themselves and to succeed.
