February 21, 2017 • Page 11 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com FFA Today Since 1928, millions of agriculture students have donned the official FFA jacket and championed the FFA Creed. All 50 states and two U.S. territories are currently chartered members of the national organization, representing 629,367 student members who belong to one of 7,757 local FFA chapters. It's a testament to the power of common goals and the strong ideals of the FFA founders. Their mission was to prepare future generations for the challenges of feeding a growing population. They taught us that agriculture is more than planting and harvesting – it's a science, it's a business and it's an art. Today, the National FFA Organization remains committed to the individual student, providing a path to achievement in premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. FFA continues to help the next generation rise up to meet those challenges by helping its members to develop their own unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range of agricultural career pathways. So today, we are still the Future Farmers of America. But, we are the Future Biologists, Future Chemists, Future Veterinarians, Future Engineers and Future Entrepreneurs of America, too. Female Members Gain Official Standing Girls were restricted from the earliest forms of FFA membership by delegate vote at the 1930 national convention. The decision to deny female members for many years denied recognition of the key role women have played on farms and in agriculture since the days of the American pioneers. It wasn't until 1969 that females gained full FFA membership privileges by vote of the national convention delegates, despite many state associations permitting female members long before. New York's Anita Decker and New Jersey's Patricia Krowicki became the first two female delegates to the national convention in 1970. Today, females represent more than 45 percent of FFA members and roughly half of all state leadership positions. In 1976, Washington's Julie Smiley became the first female national FFA officer. California's Jan Eberly became the first female National FFA President in 1982. In 2002, Wisconsin's Karlene Lindow became the first female FFA member to earn the prestigious American Star Farmer Award. We salute our local FFA Chapters for all their hard work and dedication in the field of agriculture. FFA, an organization committed to making a positive difference in the lives of students, teaches young adults discipline, responsibility and leadership both on and off the farm. During National FFA Week we salute the agricultural leaders of tomorrow for their many contributions to the growth of our community. We Support Our FFA! 2409 Broadway, Yankton 605-665-9651 Bon Homme – Yankton Electrical Association, Inc. 208 FFA - Leading the Way! 1000 Cattle Dr., Yankton, SD (605) 665-1665 114 Mulberry Street, Yankton, SD 57078 (605) 665-3691 • yanktonag.com