Q: Why did you co-sponsor a
resolution for National FFA Week?

 

A: As a lifelong family farmer and U.S. Senator for Iowa, I
take every opportunity to serve as a voice for American agriculture. The
bipartisan resolution to establish February 18-25, 2023 as National FFA Week
provides a platform for this student-led organization to toot its own horn and
celebrate its mission of educating the next generation of leaders in American
agriculture. This vital sector of the U.S. economy not only puts food on
America’s tables, it spans a diverse range of jobs, from farmers working in the
field and tending livestock to plant geneticists researching pesticide and
disease tolerance, mechanical engineers solving problems in refrigeration,
robotics and renewable fuels and entrepreneurs pushing innovation along the
food supply chain. The National FFA Organization has operated under federal
charter since 1950 when President Truman signed legislation into law following
World War II. History tells us how depleted food supplies forced German
soldiers to eat horses, dogs and rats to survive, starkly demonstrating how
food security is national security.

 

With its core mission to provide
agricultural education and leadership development, the National FFA Organization
is thriving and growing in classrooms across the country. In 2023, nearly
851,000 members ages 12 to 21 participate in 8,995 chapters across the United
States, making FFA the world’s largest agricultural youth organization. Here in
Iowa, 257 student chapters have more than 18,600 members. The school-based
curriculum also offers students vocational experience through supervised
agricultural experience programs, public speaking opportunities, community
service and events in career and leadership development to explore
opportunities in agricultural sciences, sales, mechanics, farm management,
animal science, natural resources and more. 

 

Q: Why is FFA Week celebrated in
February?

 

A: George Washington was
America’s first president and a farmer. After leaving the presidency, his work
to pursue scientific advances in farming, conservation and mechanization is
chronicled in his diaries. National FFA week coincides with Washington’s
birthday to recognize his pioneering contributions to American agriculture. Two
centuries later, another farmer made his way to the White House when President
Jimmy Carter was elected in 1976. President Carter is also the only U.S.
President who was a member of the National FFA Organization. He is one of five
sitting U.S. presidents to speak at the National FFA Convention, including
Presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush and Donald Trump.
This year, the National FFA Organization celebrates its 95th anniversary
and for the last nine decades Americans have come to recognize its iconic
colors, national blue and corn gold, on the blue corduroy jackets worn by FFA
members. Throughout my service representing Iowans in Washington, D.C., I’m
pleased to welcome legions of Iowa FFA members when they visit the nation’s
capital. It is an honor to learn about their ideas for American agriculture and
answer their questions about public policy and leadership. As a member of the
Senate Agriculture Committee, I’ll keep these young people in mind as Congress
writes the new Farm Bill so that the farm safety net works as intended to
protect U.S. food security, way of life and prosperity in Rural America. As
President Eisenhower told the attendees at the national convention in 1953,
“The interests of you young men and women here cannot be limited, isolated, or
described by any single term such as ‘agriculture.’ Your vision in the coming
years must range beyond your immediate problems and your home communities. Your
vision must encompass the entire globe.” By mid-century, the world will need to
feed 9 billion people. Like the pioneering spirit of George Washington,
American agriculture is called to rise to the challenge and sustainably improve
productivity that will fuel and feed the planet for generations to come. The
National FFA Organization is an integral part of educating our future leaders
in diverse agricultural careers in science, business and technology. I applaud
the work of FFA educators, advisers, alumni and student leaders to build strong
communities, a resilient nation and a sustainable world.

 

Senator
Grassley serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee and is a member of the
bipartisan Senate FFA Caucus.

 


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