Published: March 14, 2007 04:51 pm            

National FFA president to host National Agriculture Week FFA Rally

Event to take place March 15, 3 p.m. EST

INDIANAPOLIS — National FFA President Beau Williamson will host an FFA Rally to be held at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Whitten Building patio in Washington, D.C., on March 15 at 3 p.m. EST, as a kickoff to National Agriculture Week, March 18-24. Earlier that day, Williamson will deliver comments to the National Agriculture Day Luncheon at the National Press Club.

Sponsored by Archer Daniels Midland Co. and John Deere, the FFA rally will showcase the future of renewable energy and American agriculture and feature speakers from industry and government, as well as entertainment from FFA members.

Secretary Mike Johanns will speak to high school students and dignitaries from across the country. Also scheduled to attend are Greg Webb, vice president ADM Public Affairs and 2006 National FFA Foundation Sponsors’ Board; and Bob Dinneen, president, Renewable Fuels Association.

The National Agriculture Day program is committed to increasing public awareness about American agriculture and its importance to the nation’s economic stability. As the world population soars, there is even greater demand for the food, fiber and renewable resources that the United States produces.

Four of the six national FFA officers (Beau Williamson, Kacy Baugher, Coty Back and Jamie Cecil) are in Washington, D.C., March 12-15 visiting members of Congress, the USDA and other national agricultural organizations.

The Agriculture Council of America coordinates National Agriculture Week and the National FFA Organization’s Chief Operating Officer Doug Loudenslager serves on their Board. “The National FFA has been a proud sponsor of the Ag Day program for many years,” Loudenslager said. “We are committed to the importance of agriculture literacy in this country, and we help prepare our members in becoming tomorrow’s leaders and agriculturists of the future.”

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 495,046 student members — all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture — as part of 7,242 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.

This article was submitted by the National FFA Organization.

        

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