Dear Parents....

An open letter to parents from an Ag Teacher during FFA Week...

Dear Parents,

First, I want to thank you for having children that in some way shape or form take agriculture classes. Without each kid in a seat on a daily basis, my job would seize to exist. Many times when people talk about FFA week, conferences, showing livestock, or all the other great reasons they loved being in FFA, they tend to forget that they had to take some initiative to sign up for a class on day 1. Some of my best kids, never travel on trips, but they show up every day and want to know more about agriculture and science and they indulge in my wild ideas and crazy labs.

Also, I want to thank you for allowing your kid to participate beyond the classroom. Without the out of classroom experiences, Ag Education and FFA would not have such a profound impact on student's lives. From leaving at 4am for a field day or indulging in my very specific uniform expectations, I appreciate that you help your child be their best. The time I spend in the car with your children is invaluable. I love every road trip and time for them to sing together or tell stories or spill their guts (I know too much, but it's always why I love them).

Many parents do not understand Ag education or FFA involvement until they have seen it first hand and endured the entire process from Greenhand Conference to their American Degree. Some parents try to remember what FFA was like when they were in high school, but it's changed so much even in the past 10 years. Taking parents to National Convention to watch their kids get an American Degree is like watching a 1st grader during the first week of school-- big eyes and amazement at what their kids have been doing the last 5 years.

I want to say thank you for allowing me to have expectations of your child, push your child, and help them do their best because they represent themselves and the chapter name on the back of their jacket. While I know that at times I seem rigid, please know that I treat your children as my own. I would give them the shirt off my back in a heartbeat because I care about their success and growth as people, and I see their potential to be good humans.

Parents, remember high school?  Remember, how it might not have been great... Remember, what made it great... Remember they are kids, they screw up, they have more attitude and sass than needed, but also remember, high school is hard, hormones are insane, friends occasionally suck, etc.-- they are already doing a better job of being better humans because they chose to be in an Ag class. Whether they participate in 1 FFA activity or 100, they did something, they are trying and they want to be good.

Thank you for your support, your appreciation, and free rein to help your kids be good people. FFA Week is always a good time to reflect on growth and appreciation of the FFA. Where the blue jacket took you for instance... I always take a little time to appreciate the shenanigans that I participated in while in FFA and Ag classes. Now as a teacher, it reminds me that "it's all gonna be alright".

Sincerely,
The Crazy Ag Teacher

Even with the bloopers... They turn out just fine!

FFA Week thoughts...

FFA Week begins today... What does that mean?
"Each year, FFA chapters around the country celebrate National FFA Week. The week-long tradition began in 1947 when the National FFA Board of Directors designated the week of George Washington's birthday as National FFA Week in recognition of his legacy as an agriculturist and farmer. The first National FFA Week was held in 1948."

Thinking back to when I was in high school, I can't honestly remember anything about FFA week. Now, scrolling through Facebook and Instagram, I feel like it is an Ag teachers duty to find the best, coolest, and most awesome activities to execute during the week long celebration (with the help of kids, of course).

Why is it so important for us to have these explosively successful activities that have kids screaming "I love FFA!" at the tops of their lungs?! Isn't it more important to win over hearts of high school kids throughout the entire year? Are we spinning our wheels to plan and have activities that look great on social media?

I feel like every FFA chapter could now have a reality TV show during FFA week. But how many could say they could have that much excitement during the rest of the school year?

Should we be peaking during one week of the year or should we be consistent throughout the year?? Reflecting back on what my students remember over the past few years, it usually doesn't include an FFA week activity. Maybe we are doing it wrong? But what if, we are doing it right? --stick with me here

My students remember trips, conferences, community service projects and CDE practices before they remember something like corn hole... Now, it's important to have things happening during FFA week, especially things that involve the whole school. But, what if we did that all year? Why do we concentrate it into one week and expect amazing things? 

Wouldn't we be better off to coordinate one day a month, all year (August-June) to incorporate FFA, Ag education, Ag literacy, service and the entire school? Would it be more memorable? Would we be serving more of our student body?

Now, don't get me wrong-- I understand and value FFA week and it's purpose. But why can't we do more? Think global, act local type of thing... Something to think about for next year... 

Until then... I'll continue to enjoy all the Facebook and Instagram posts of other Ag teachers and their ideas... 

Happy FFA Week! 

Tug O War

Chalk Square Challenge 

Sack Races

Blast from the past Senior Photo in my FFA uniform... 

Manic Monday-- FFA Week!

Today starts National FFA Week! Have you hugged a farmer lately? In high school, I never really valued FFA week, mostly because I never fully understood the meaning or the purpose. Now that I'm a teacher I try to instill the importance of FFA history into each of my students. If we don't pay attention to the history of FFA how will we understand the importance of its future??

FFA seems to have had such an interesting past and crazy road to what it is today. Gone are the days of FFA, only being important when it came to students taking animals to the fair. FFA is creating leaders of tomorrow, future farmers, future scientists, future businessman and future consumers. 

I'm so proud to have been part of FFA in high school. While I never thought we did enough, competed enough or traveled enough, I'm grateful for all the opportunities that I was provided with. FFA helped shape me into the person I am today. Which is why I work diligently to make sure that my students feel the same impact, if not a greater impact from the FFA. 

In our crazy world it's really important to remember to stop and smell the roses. But at the same time, we need to remember that someone actually had to grow those roses... Embrace agriculture! Embrace FFA!  

Happy National FFA Week!

One of my senior pictures... In my FFA Jacket of course!