Student officers of the Maine FFA (formerly known as Future Farmers of America) participated in advanced leadership training in New York last month. They were joined by 35 student officers from FFA programs in other New England states and New York.
President Dayna McCrum and Vice President Kaley Norsworthy, high school students from Aroostook County, learned about teamwork strategies, advocating for agriculture and natural resources, organizing leadership workshops, and facilitation strategies.
Both officers returned to Maine better prepared to conduct classroom presentations, organize and lead fellow students in workshops, and oversee a 200 participant state convention in the spring.
Maine FFA is a youth leadership organization for middle and high school students enrolled in courses related to agriculture and natural resources. Maine’s nearly 500 student members come from technical programs in areas such as agriculture, forestry and horticulture, as well as science classes with connections to agriculture and natural resources.
The training was supported through a grant from Farm Credit East and by the National FFA Organization.
For more information about FFA or how to start a local Maine chapter, contact Maine FFA State Advisor Doug Robertson doug.robertson@maine.gov or call 624-6744.