FFA youth attend leadership conference
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Students from across the nation attended the 2010 Washington Leadership Conference (WLC) this summer in the nation’s capitol. The conference is an activity of the National FFA Organization, sponsored by Monsanto as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. Christopher Flewelling and Cody Tompkins attended WLC from July 6-10, representing the Easton FFA Chapter.
FFA MEMBERS from Easton traveled to Washington, D.C. recently to take part in a leadership conference. Attending the event were, from left: Cody Tompkins, Chris Flewelling and Kate Tscharner, one of the facilitators at the Washington Leadership Conference.
The week-long program helped FFA members improve their leadership skills and prepare for leadership roles in their chapters, communities and their future careers. They attended sessions on developing authentic leadership, serving their communities and participating in civic engagement. They also participated in service learning events.
“We live in an increasingly competitive world,” said Dr. Larry Case, National FFA advisor and coordinator, Agricultural and Rural Education with the U.S. Department of Education. “Tomorrow’s leaders must develop skills in these areas to effectively compete. Every student leaves WLC with an advantage because it gives those young people cutting-edge leadership skills and valuable insight for productive citizenship.”
The National FFA Organization coordinates WLC, with the sponsorship of Monsanto, which attracts participants from across the country. This summer, more than 2,000 FFA members will attend one of the conference’s seven week-long sessions. Monsanto is dedicated to the future success of agriculture by investing more than $1 million to the National FFA Foundation in 2010 as part of a broad commitment to support agricultural youth.
Students also increase their understanding of the nation’s heritage with visits to Arlington National Cemetery; the Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt memorials; and other historic sites in Washington, D.C. A highlight of the week was a visit to the office of their local U.S. representative or senator.
The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 506,199 student members — all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture — as part of 7,429 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The National FFA Organization changed to its present name in 1988, in recognition of the growth and diversity of agriculture and agricultural education. The FFA 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. Visit www.ffa.org for more information.?
