By Lexi MooreNational Future Farmers of America Week began on Feb. 19 and will continue through Feb. 26. FFA members at Hills-Beaver Creek have planned a busy week for students in the district.FFA was founded in 1928. The goal of Future Farmers of America was to bring together students, teachers and agribusiness to solidify support for agricultural education.Since 1928, millions of agriculture students have donned the official FFA jacket and championed the FFA creed. Today the National FFA Organization remains "committed to the individual student, providing a path to achievement in premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education."The 2004-05 school year will host 476,732 FFA members, ages 12-21 in 7,223 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.The H-BC chapter has forty-four students. Twelve of the 44 members are women, which is slightly less than the national average.Females make up 38 percent of the national average, but only 27 percent of the H-BC membership.Although FFA strives to teach students about agribusiness, most student members tend to live in urban and suburban areas.H-BC FFA advisor Greg DeWandel put together a schedule for FFA week that includes activities at the elementary school and the high school.High school students will participate in a variety of activities intended to get the student body more aware of the FFA organization. H-BC FFA members put together several contests for elementary students last week.Students in grades K-3 will participate in a coloring contest while students in grades 4-6 will respond to essay questions about agriculture.
