Happy National FFA Week. In an effort to help you all know more about the National FFA Organization and Agricultural Education as a whole, please read this newsletter. It will help give you a “bigger picture” of what our students do both inside and outside the classroom. We have a special committee of Ag Leadership students in place for National FFA Week and they have planned many great activities. Thank you for your continued support of our incredible students!
Agriculture is part of our daily lives—from the food we eat to the clothes we wear. More than 653,000 FFA members will celebrate the role agriculture plays in our lives while sharing the message of agricultural education as part of National FFA Week. California alone comprises over 83,000 FFA members, with the recent addition of official state-wide middle school programs. SLOHS has approximately 300 students enrolled in agriculture courses. All students in agricultural education complete a “SAE” Supervised Agricultural Experience project and actively participate in FFA service or leadership activities. Many of our students choose to challenge themselves by conducting Agriscience Research projects. The picture below shows three freshmen conducting research on a fistulated cow at Cal Poly. They are testing whether a cow with a higher milk production will digest corn, wheat, or alfalfa at a faster rate than that of a lower producing cow.
This week is a time for students to host activities that raise awareness about the role the National FFA Organization plays in the development of agriculture’s future leaders and the importance of agricultural education. It always runs Saturday to Saturday and encompasses Feb. 22, George Washington’s birthday.
Our students will be doing activities daily to promote FFA at SLOHS.
Tuesday 2/20
It’s our Tradition to do “FFA” on the hill. Teachers Appreciation Breakfast in the library 7:15-8am.
Library Display: We will be decorating one of the display cases with various items that represent all our classes and CTE opportunities in agriculture education.
Wednesday 2/21
New this year: “Morning Wave” with REACH club. You are all welcome to join us at the front of the school from 7:15-7:45am to spread Positivity to our students the week before finals. We will be “Waving” as students enter. Come check it out.
Thursday 2/22
Enjoy complementary vegetable plants in biodegradable pots prepared by Ornamental Horticulture class and donated by Cal Seedling Co. Pick yours up in the staff copy machine room.
Petting Zoo at Lunch in the Quad
SAE and Agriscience Research Project Showcase in our Ag Department. 6-7:00pm. Come check out the amazing science projects students are doing! Science fair style.
Friday 2/23
Blue & Gold Day [FFA colors are National Blue and Corn Gold]. You will all receive something in your box. We would love for you to wear it on Friday!
Why National FFA Week?
The National FFA Board of Directors designated the weeklong tradition, which began in 1948, in recognition of Washington’s legacy as an agriculturist and farmer. A group of young farmers founded FFA in 1928, influencing generations that agriculture is more than planting and harvesting — it involves science, business and more. The organization’s mission is to prepare future generations for the challenges of feeding a growing population.
Today, FFA continues to help the next generation meet new agricultural challenges, develop unique talents and explore a broad range of career pathways. Today’s FFA members are tomorrow’s future biologists, chemists, veterinarians, engineers and entrepreneurs. National FFA Week is a time for FFA members to share agriculture with their fellow students as well as their communities. Chapters also give back to their communities through service projects and recruit students to become FFA members. During National FFA Week, the six national officers will visit chapters across the country.Also, SLOHS class of 2016 alumni, Luke O’Leary, and the CA FFA State Officer team will be promoting FFA Week activities to chapters statewide.
Here are some additional facts / info about our SLOHS Agricultural Education Program
Over 300 students are currently enrolled in Agriculture classes.
Close to 75 students raise livestock projects for the California Mid State Fair. They are enrolled in summer school credits for Livestock Management 1-4.
We have close to 15 LDE [Leadership Development Event] or CDE [Career Development Event] teams that students participate in each year.
The CA FFA State President, Luke O’Leary, is from SLO HS.
Our department has 4 CTE pathways [Agriscience, Ag Leadership, Animal Science, Plant/Floral]
In the past 5 years, we have had numerous State and National Championships in areas of Veterinary Science, Agriscience Research, Marketing Plan, Novice and Advanced Parliamentary Procedure, Creed Speaking, Prepared Public Speaking, and Job Interview.
In 2015, SLOHS Ag Program was awarded the Overall Outstanding Program in the Western U.S.