By Brianna Siciliano
The National FFA Organization was organized in 1928 in Kansas City as the “Future Farmers of America,” but the name eventually changed to The National FFA Organization to reflect the broadening field of agriculture, which now encompasses over 300 careers including everything from agriscience to turf grass management to biotechnology.
Currently, the FFA Chapter––which is strongly continuing their success of 75 years––is planning new and innovative events to help maintain the success of the organization.
In the fall of 2008, Denise Emmons began working as the new Animal Science Instructor and FFA Advisor in the Allentown High School Agricultural Science program, and in the fall of 2010, Dale Cruan joined the agricultural sciences staff as the Plant Sciences and Agricultural Mechanics Instructor, along with becoming an FFA Advisor.
The organization has been bringing students, teachers, and agribusinesses together to support agricultural education. Today, the National FFA Organization is expanding society’s view of “traditional” agriculture and is finding new ways to include agriculture in the classroom.
Presently, the organization is completing a chapter exchange program with the Bridgewater-Emery FFA Chapter in Bridgewater, South Dakota.
The FFA program continues to seek innovative, new courses for students including the Curriculum for Agriculture Science Education (CASE), Principles of Agricultural Science Animal, CASE-Introduction to Agriculture Food and Natural Resources, the CASE-Principles of Agricultural Science-Plant, and the Wildlife and Aquaculture Science.
The Allentown FFA and Agricultural Science Program is strongly dedicated to preparing students for a lifetime of informed choices and for successful careers in the global agriculture, fiber, food, and natural resources systems. Through agricultural education, students are provided with opportunities to live-up to the FFA Chapter’s mission: leadership development, personal growth, and career success.
To learn more about Allentown’s FFA program, visit www.ffachapter.net/nj/allentown/.