>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

It’s more than just mastering tractor driving through obstacle courses and honing any variety of shop skills, although those are important. It’s leadership skills. Personal growth. Career success. That’s what the ubiquitous blue jackets of the National FFA Organization are all about.

For the last almost 80 years, FFA has launched students into about 300 career paths in the rapidly expanding field of agriculture.

Today, chapters from throughout Union and Wallowa counties are among almost 7,500 chapters from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The organization and its many top-flight, energetic advisers give hands-on opportunities to students as well as chances to improve social and academic skills.

Livestock-judging teams from the local area have competed valiantly on the national stage. Local students have been elected to important statewide offices. FFA has been involved in toy drives and plant sales and much more to support its own activities and the broader local communities.

FFA is a great springboard to life success. Career development events and supervised agricultural experience programs help students prepare not just for success in college but for rewarding careers. Public speaking opportunities give FFA members a chance to develop poise and real world skills. When you see a blue jacket, you’ll know there’s a student on the rise.