Conference to make 'positive difference' for future farmers

The National FFA Organization, formerly the Future Farmers of America, is the largest youth organization in the world. Its high school curriculum has existed since 1928, said Jack Elliot, associate professor of agricultural education.

About 25 percent to 30 percent of Arizona's FFA students come to the UA following graduation, Elliot said. This year's FFA group is the largest ever at the University of Arizona, he said.

"It (FFA) makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education," Elliot said.

FFA students from all over Arizona will participate in nine events at the UA. The top 10 students in each event will then represent Arizona at the national FFA convention in November.

FFA students will compete in business and management, sales, job interviews, the business of landscaping services, forestry, nursery management and engineering.

"The contests help reinforce what they've learned in high school and it's excellent for r­sum­ building," Elliot said.

Elizabeth Davison, an adjunct lecturer in plant sciences, said students interested in agriculture do not need to have a background in FFA.

However, she said, FFA is a "spring board," and students should have an interest in the idea of using science to further agriculture.

"By entering the College of Agriculture, they take that good foundation (from FFA) and good science that we give them and come out ready to tackle any agriculture problem in the west," Davison said.

Denise Davies, an agricultural education and agricultural technology management sophomore, participated in FFA in high school.

Davies said there is a lot of teamwork involved at FFA events.

"Doing your own best also benefits your team," she said.

Her participation in FFA got her excited about agricultural education, Davies said. She said she hopes to teach high school students about agriculture when she graduates.

Davison will lead the contest in nursery management, where students will be required to identify plants commonly available in nurseries and tools used in greenhouses. Then they will be asked to diagnose plant problems commonly asked in nurseries and take a written test on ornamental horticulture.

UA undergraduates will help host the FFA students by judging and acting as tour guides. Between 45 and 50 undergraduates in the Agriculture Department will help out in the events.