I believe in the future of agriculture...
"I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds - achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years..."
These are not only the opening lines of the FFA creed but words that stand true in my life as a farmer today. During this National FFA week, I looked back on what FFA taught me.
I am grateful that my father was active in FFA and wanted the same things for my sister and I. I am a proud American FFA degree recipient and past President of Chico FFA. But it is what that jacket stands for that is worth the most.
That FFA Creed really is something to reflect on.
Farming is truly a faith; a faith that mother nature will guide is in our endeavors to make the land prosperous,
that we will be good stewards to it and that our deeds will benefit the land. Words are only words, unless our deeds defend our words. Our actions must speak louder than our words, we must show our words are true by acting as good stewards.
Being a good steward to the land will help everyone; present, past and future, to be prosperous with what we have been given. Farming isn't just for the present, we farm for the future. I farm so that my children will have an opportunity in farming and that our past generations legacy will live on. Agriculture education through organization such as the FFA, are teaching just that. We must help the future generations understand the past and present to be able to grow a better future for themselves. FFA teaches young adults how to build better stewards and be strong individuals.
Agriculture education is a promise of better days. Because farmers are constantly educating themselves and others, we will not have to farm as they did and we are being innovative in our better days. FFA teaches about finding new ways to accomplish ideas. Nothing should come easy, life is a struggle and farming is no different. Some years will be harder than others and that teaches us not to take anything for granted.
In my years of FFA, I was taught the power of hard work. That you must work for your achievements. You may not always win Grand Champion, grow the best crop or deliver the best speech but what matters is that you enjoyed your experience and you learned from it. By participating in Judging teams, I learned how to evaluate and work as a team. In public speaking contests, I quickly learned the power in practice and lots of dedication. Raising livestock not only showed me how to manage money and time but having animals depend on you makes you responsible for their well being and livelihood.
The real life situations that FFA provides for young adults is truly like no others. There was no better place for myself to grow up surrounded by like minded individuals, growing as leaders and learning skills to succeed in life. It is because of organizations like FFA that make the future of agriculture bright. I do believe in the future of agriculture...
Until Next Time,
Almond Girl