Making a difference, students visit with legislators, skills learned in the classroom applied in a world where citizenship is essential.
Nearly 350 high school students wearing blue corduroy flooded the Iowa State Capitol Building in Des Moines on January 27. The students visited with legislators, exhibited skills learned in the agriculture classroom and learned the importance of citizenship. This was all part of the 30th Annual Iowa FFA Legislative Symposium and FFA Day at the Capitol that more than 50 FFA chapters attended.
During the morning, FFA members had the opportunity to hear from leaders in the agriculture industry at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Craig Hill, addressed the students concerning the future of Iowa's agriculture and the importance of being involved with statewide issues. The FFA members also heard remarks from Libby Crimmings of the World Food Prize on effectively advocating for agricultural education.
Following the legislative visits, members congregated at the World Food Prize for tours and to hear remarks from Ambassador Kenneth Quinn of the World Food Prize. State FFA President Abrah Meyer read the Governor's Proclamation identifying February 21-28 as National FFA Week in Iowa.
The 30th annual Iowa FFA Legislative Symposium and FFA Day at the Capitol is made possible with support from the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation through the Iowa FFA Foundation.
The Iowa FFA Association has 225 local FFA chapters with more than 14,200 FFA members. FFA is a national organization more than 610,000 student members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture. Local, state and national programs provide opportunities for students to apply knowledge and skills learned in the classroom. FFA's mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
