LOUISVILLE – Working in communications for the 87th National FFA Convention & Expo has shown me a different perspective of the National FFA Organization. For instance, I’ve found that the very letters of the organization can be a source of confusion.

FFA is, simply, FFA! It’s not an acronym; instead, an opportunity for premier leadership, personal growth and career success.

But what happened to the Future Farmers of America?

By the 1980s, FFA had become more than just an organization for rural farm students. Delegates at the 61st National FFA Convention voted to change the official name from the Future Farmers of America to the National FFA Organization.

This renaming recognized that FFA is not only for those interested in farming, but also for those with diverse agricultural interests. FFA members are the innovators and leaders of tomorrow. Agricultural education and hands-on learning prepares 610,240 members for more than 300 career opportunities in the food, fiber and natural resources industry.

I surveyed FFA members browsing at the National FFA Expo — a place to explore career and educational opportunities from more than 450 industry-leading exhibitors — to determine just how diverse these interests are:

Alecia Ovellette – Capitol FFA Chapter, Nevada

Equine Sciences

Lily Wynn – Oneida FFA Chapter, Kentucky

Fashion/Clothing Design

Rachel Honer – Madison FFA Chapter, Indiana

Agricultural Education in Third World Countries

Jordann Vigna – Galt/Liberty Ranch FFA Chapter, California

Sports Medicine

Dalton Milburn – Dallas Center-Grimes FFA Chapter, Iowa

Automotive Mechanics

Blane Long – Sigourney FFA Chapter, Iowa

Agricultural Business

Todd Landry – Assumption FFA Chapter, Louisiana

Mechanical Engineering

Phillip Walker – Carrollton FFA Chapter, Illinois

Family Farming – Corn, Beans, Livestock

Levy Smith – Dallas Center-Grimes FFA Chapter, Iowa

Mechanics

Megan Harrison – Capitol FFA Chapter, Nevada

Biomolecular Engineering

Trisha Webster – Madison FFA Chapter, Indiana

Agricultural Communications

Dalton Milburn – Dallas Center-Grimes, Iowa

Diesel Mechanics/Farming