FFA State Officers from across the country to take part in legislative day on July 26
This week FFA members from across the country will learn how to advocate for agriculture at the federal level during the National FFA State Officer Summit. State officer teams will share with their elected officials the importance of extending the youth organization grants in the Farm Bill and invite them to join the Congressional FFA Caucus.
The National FFA State Officer Summit occurs July 24-28, 2023, in Washington, D.C., at the Omni-Shoreham Hotel. The five-day training will focus on serving as an advocate for agriculture and FFA, as well as developing clear and consistent messages related to agriculture and FFA. State Officers will put their training into practice on Wednesday, July 26, when they do legislative visits from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Capitol Hill.
INVITATION TO JOIN THE CONGRESSIONAL FFA CAUCUSWhen meeting with their state legislators, FFA student leaders will share about the Congressional FFA Caucus and invite them to become a member. The caucus was founded and is co-chaired by Representatives Tracey Mann (R-KS) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) in the House of Representatives and Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Senator John Boozman (R-AR). It has representation from both sides of the aisle from the House and Senate and advocates for strong career and technical education legislation, maintaining a youth perspective in agriculture and nutrition policy, and strengthening relationships between Congress and agricultural education teachers and FFA members. Elected officials interested in joining can reach out to a Caucus co-chair’s office for further information.
ADVOCATE FOR THE REAUTHORIZATION OF THE YOUTH LEADERSHIP GRANT IN FARM BILL
FFA Members will also ask for the extension of a grant in 7 U.S.C. 7630(d)(2) that supports youth organizations including National FFA, the National 4-H Council, Boy Scouts of America, and Girls Scouts of America as part of the next reauthorization of the U.S. Farm Bill. The students will ask that the $3 million grant program be transitioned from discretionary funding to mandatory funding. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that the industry of agriculture contributes an estimated $1.26 trillion to America’s gross domestic product, and funding will provide consistent support for organizations working to prepare the next generation of global leaders in agriculture.
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 850,823 student members as part of 8,995 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
