Student officers of the Maine FFA Association (formerly known as “Future Farmers of America”) recently attended the National Leadership Conference for State Officers (NLCSO), a regional leadership training in New York, along with 28 peers from all other New England states and New York.
As the FFA is a student-run organization, Maine’s three officers represent over 500 local student members enrolled in middle and secondary school courses related to agriculture and natural resources. Maine’s student officers participated in lectures and hands-on practice in areas of teamwork, advocacy, classroom management, speech preparation and delivery. Maine’s participants had completed preliminary preparations for the classroom presentations on FFA opportunities that they will be delivering at schools throughout Maine.
One key message of these presentations will be that any middle or high school class which includes a focus on areas of agriculture or natural resources may be eligible to become an FFA chapter.
The Oswegatchie Educational Center, in the foothills of the Adirondacks, was the event host with facilitators from the National FFA Organization. Sponsorship was provided under a Farm Credit East AgEnhancement Program grant.
For more information, please contact Maine DOE State FFA Advisor Doug Robertson at doug.robertson@maine.gov or 624-6744.