Central Texas youth celebrate FFA affiliation

By MANDY SPIKES | Central Texas Edition

Students involved in Belton High School's FFA organization help each other with one of their many projects. FFA helps students prepare for future careers in agriculture. -Photo by Mandy Spikes

Feb. 26, 2004 -- Students involved in FFA around Central Texas have a reason to celebrate. This year marks the organization's 75th anniversary. During that time, FFA has helped students gain a sense of responsibility and understanding, which will help them when they graduate from high school.

According the the FFA website, the mission of the Texas FFA foundation is to seek and provide a stable source of funding for the Texas FFA association to ensure the growth and prosperity of agricultural education.

The goals include:

• To provide businesses, associations, other foundations and individuals the opportunity to contribute to FFA members;

• To commit to excellence in the teaching and learning of agriculture and its attendant activities of science, technology, production, processing, and related agribusiness activities;

• To expand interest and enrollment in agri-science courses and FFA chapters while, at the same time, encouraging the effective and efficient use of all public school funds; and

• To help the general population of Texas understand the vital and necessary role played by the agricultural industry.

Many students at Belton High School, one of the high schools in Bell County, are involved with the FFA program. Arthur Potts is a 17-year-old senior who feels that being involved with the FFA has been a great experience for him overall. The best experience that he has had was "being able to compete in all the stock shows, especially the San Antonio show."

He believes that the organization helped him gain a sense of responsibility. "It taught me that I have to take care of my animals if I want to show them and win."

In addition to competing in shows, the Belton FFA is involved in other community service projects, which include participating in highway cleanup around Belton and bringing presents to give to Toys for Tots during the Christmas season. "I think it's a good idea for them to have us do these additional projects, because we are able to help give back to our community."

For Potts, FFA is more of an animal care type of group instead of being a farming type of group. "You get to do things yourself, like taking care of your animals. I think you get more out of doing things yourself instead of getting someone else to help you do it.

"If I had not been part of the FFA, I think I would be more lazy. FFA helps me get up and take care of what needs to be done."

Sixteen-year-old Alexandria Hahn also enjoys being in FFA. "My dad was in FFA when he was in school and it just sounded like it would be fun, a fun group to be involved in. I also like animals."

In addition to raising rabbits, goats, and a horse for various shows, she will soon add a heifer to the list of animals she raises.

"This is a great group to be involved with because you don't have to be perfect to compete," the high school junior explained. "You also get to meet a lot of new people and hang out with your current friends."

She said that it takes a lot of responsibility and hard work to be a part of FFA. "You have to keep your grades up or else you won't be able to show your animals. You also have to put your friends and boyfriend or girlfriend second. When you are showing animals, they must come first."

For three years, Hahn has been a part of the organization and she has enjoyed it from the beginning. "If you enjoy raising animals or being around them, then this is a fun group to be in. The FFA is like a second-family when you get into it."

Joseph Smith, a junior, has been involved with the FFA for the past year and a half. "It has really helped me gain a sense of leadership and time management. It also helps with common knowledge."

Through the FFA, Smith has been in such activities as the county fair, the hunter youth challenge, and the wildlife management team. He also traveled with the FFA group to New Mexico for nationals.

"Going to nationals was fun. I have learned a lot since I was there," the sixteen-year-old stated. "It was hard, but it was a good experience because it challenged me."

After high school, he would like to work as an agriculture mechanic or engineer. "FFA has helped me gain insight into what the future can hold."