irections: Fill in the blanks. Blue & Gold Basics: hat is FF? Introduction 1. FF is a dynamic youth organization within agricultural education which prepares students for premier leadership, personal growth and career success. 2. oday, more than 500,000 student members are engaged in a wide range of agricultural education activities, leading to more than 300 career opportunities in the agricultural science, food, fiber and natural resources industry. hat o the Letters FF tand For? 3. In 1988 the official name was change from Future Farmers of merica to he ational FF rganization. he FF Mission & trategies 4. FF makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. 5. o accomplish this mission, FF: evelops competent and assertive agricultural leadership. Promotes the intelligent choice and establishment of an agricultural career. Promotes cooperation and cooperative attitudes among the people. he FF Vision 6. tudents whose lives are impacted by FF and agricultural education will achieve academic and personal growth, strengthen merican agriculture and provide leadership to build healthy local communities, a strong nation and a sustainable world. he FF rganization tructure 7. FF is structured on three levels: local, state and national. 8. he national FF staff carries out the policies and provides programs and services for the organization. ccompanies: Blue & Gold Basics: hat is FF? 1
hat is FF? 9. tate associations functions within the constitution of the national organization but may also create individual leadership, award and competing programs. 10. he heart of the organization is at the local level. FF chapters may be chartered in any public school with an agricultural education program. 11. FF is part of a larger program called agricultural education. istory 12. he idea for the organization of FF came after courses in vocational agriculture were established by the mith-ughes ational Vocational ducation ct in 1917. 13. Membership grew and the 1929 convention was distinguished by the selection of the national colors, national blue and corn gold, and the naming of the first tar Farmer of merica. 14. merging of FF and the ew Farmers of merica, the organization for frican merican agriculture students, took place in 1965. 15. In 1988, the delegates voted to change the official name from the Future Farmers of merica to the ational FF rganization. mblem 16. he nation FF emblem, consisting of five symbols, is representative of the history, goals and future of the organization. 17. he cross section of the ear of corn provides the foundation of the emblem, just as corn has historically served as the foundation crop of merican agriculture. It is also a symbol of unity, as corn is grown in every state of the nation. 18. he owl, long recognized for it s wisdom, symbolized the knowledge require to be successful in the industry of agriculture. ccompanies: Blue & Gold Basics: hat is FF? 2
FF Motto 19. Learning to o, oing to Learn, arning to Live, Living to erve. Blue & Gold Basics: hat is FF? FF Creed 20. he FF Creed is recited by new members to reflect their growing belief in agriculture and agricultural education. FF Colors 21. he FF colors of national blue and corn gold give unity to the FF rganization just as the blue field of our nation s flag and the golden fields of ripened corn unify our country. ll FF functions and paraphernalia should proudly display the colors. FF alute 22. he Pledge of llegiance is the official salute of the FF organization. he salute should always be used in the official closing ceremony for meetings and at other FF gatherings. fficial ress 23. fficial ress provides identity and gives a distinctive and recognizable image to the organization and its members. 24. he fficial FF Manual outlines the correct and appropriate official dress. 25. fficial ress for female members: fficial FF blue scarf Black nylon hosiery 26. fficial ress for male members: hite collared shirt Black socks Proper se of the FF Jacket 27. he blue corduroy jacket is the most recognizable symbol of the organization. ccompanies: Blue & Gold Basics: hat is FF? 3
hat is FF? 28. Members should follow the guidelines provided in the fficial FF Manual to ensure its proper use. he jacket is to be worn only by members. he jacket should be worn on official occasions with the zipper fastened to the top. he collar should be turned down and the cuffs buttoned. member should act professionally when wearing the official FF jacket. 29. ll chapter degree, officer and award medals should be worn beneath the name on the right side of the jacket, with the exception of a single tate FF egree charm or merican FF egree key. hese should be worn above the name or attached to a standard key chain. FF Code of thics 30. FF members should conduct themselves at all times to be a credit to their organization, chapter, school, community and family. 31. s outlined in the fficial FF Manual, all FF members should pledge to the following: 1. evelop potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success. 4. espect the rights of others and their property. 7. emonstrate good sportsmanship by being modest in winning and generous in defeat. 8. Become aware of FF programs and activities and be active participant. 11. ppreciate and promote diversity in the organization. Membership 32. o be eligible for active membership in a chartered FF chapter, a student must be enrolled in a secondary agricultural education program. 33. o become and active member and retain membership, a student must: 2. how an interest in the affairs of the organization by attending meetings, striving for degrees of membership and participating in other organized activities of the chapter. 4. isplay conduct consistent with the ideals and purpose of the ational FF rganization. ccompanies: Blue & Gold Basics: hat is FF? 4
hat is FF? 34. In additions to active membership, individuals can become members in three other ways: honorary, alumni and collegiate. 35. onorary membership is conferred upon those individuals who have rendered outstanding service to FF and agricultural education. 36. he collegiate chapter was formed in 1931 and has continued to be an influential part of agricultural education on the postsecondary level. Ceremonies 37. fficial FF ceremonies are a source of pride, identity and tradition among FF members and chapters. 38. Members should always remember they are on display and their performance should reflect sincerity and professionalism. fficers 39. Chapter officers serve a vital function in FF. 40. It should be the officers goal to lead by example and encourage other members to participate in chapter activities. 41. uties of officers include: genuine desire to be part of a leadership team. nowledge and understanding of the chapter, state and national FF constitutions, bylaws and programs. Meetings 42. Variety in programs is essential for maintaining successful meetings and member attendance. 43. he following order is suggested for regular meetings: 1. pening ceremony 4. pecial features 7. ew business 10. ntertainment, recreation and/or refreshments ccompanies: Blue & Gold Basics: hat is FF? 5
hat is FF? Program of ctivities 44. program of activities, or P, serves as a road map for planning activities and accomplishing goals to the local level. 45. he P is divided into three divisions 1. tudent evelopment 2. Chapter evelopment 3. Community evelopment 46. wide range of activities and events are planned to meet the needs of members and the community. 47. well-planned P will: nsure chapter activities meet the needs of members. Provide direction year to year. erve as a reference point throughout the year. 48. uccessful FF chapter organize their P by using committees. 49. he committees should develop goals and activities which follow each division and standards. hen their work has been completed, each committee should report its recommendations to the entire chapter for approval, rejection or amendment. egrees, wards & cholarships 50. FF is structured into a degree program which rewards active FF members for progress in all phases of leadership, skills and occupational development. 51. he highest degree, the merican FF egree, is conferred upon an elite group of members at the national level. 52. FF has an extensive awards program, implemented at all levels. 53. cholarships are sponsored by businesses and individuals through the ational FF Foundation and are awarded for a wide variety of experiences, career goals and higher education plans. ccompanies: Blue & Gold Basics: hat is FF? 6
hat is FF? upervised gricultural xperience Programs 54. here are four types of s: 2. Placement 4. xploratory Career evelopment vents 55. tudents can explore several areas from among the estimated 300 agriculturerelated career opportunities. Conferences & Conventions 56. FF retreats and leadership conferences provide an opportunity for members to focus on their leadership skills and personal growth. 57. ashington Leadership Conference provides the ultimate leadership experience for members of the ational FF rganization. 58. LC is a hand-on leadership conference which puts practical tools and valuable experience into the hands of FF members. 59. he ational FF Convention and xpo is similar in purpose to a state convention but is held on a much larger scale. 60. wide variety of educational programs, events and activities are available at the national convention and expo: national expo aligned to eight career pathways. discover the value of community service and volunteering within their communities. ccompanies: Blue & Gold Basics: hat is FF? 7