Maine FFA State Vice President, James Hotham, joined representatives from a number of Maine agriculture and natural resources organizations in the Maine State House on Maine Agriculture Day, March 21, 2019.
In addition to staffing a display on his 500-member agriculture student leadership organization, James and Maine FFA participants Doug Robertson & Faith McLaughlin in the Maine Department of Education were recognized by the Maine House of Representatives courtesy of Aroostook County Representative Dustin White.
James also had the opportunity to present to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs information on the statewide organization for students grades 7-12 in programs related to agriculture and natural resources, with chapters extending from Sanford to Caribou. He explained that FFA members gain valuable technical and leadership skills to assist them in future careers. For those interested in chartering new chapters, James noted that technical agriculture and natural resources programs would qualify schools for membership, as would science curricula incorporating these concepts and including features such as school gardens or greenhouses. He encouraged legislators to promote FFA to their home communities and elsewhere in the state so that more students could take advantage of opportunities such as the $2,000,000 in national scholarships, exciting competitions, travel opportunities, and top-notch leadership trainings.
For more information on FFA and on starting a new FFA chapter, please contact State FFA Advisor in the Maine Department of Education, Doug Robertson, doug.robertson@maine.gov (207) 624-6744