Strength In Numbers

ZZZZIIP. It's a brief, sharp sound that signifies the last time an FFA member takes off his or her corduroy jacket. The soft material is a little faded at the elbows. The front left side is riddled with holes from officer badges, event awards, and degree pins. The pockets are filled with programs from leadership conferences, sticks of gum, and mementos from the past few years. Taking off an FFA jacket for the last time can be an emotional moment for FFA members who have grown to love and respect the National FFA Organization. However, it can also be seen as a step toward the next blue jacket to be worn in life: the FFA Alumni jacket.

Businesses, corporations, and other organizations across the country are continuing to develop ways their members and employees can come together to support agricultural education programs and FFA chapters. By chartering a nontraditional FFA Alumni chapter, these groups connect geographically separate, but otherwise connected, individuals with one another. These alumni chapters allow members to rally around nearby chapters, even if those chapters are not a program from which they graduated or in a state where they grew up.

Green and Yellow and Blue and Gold

In 2010, Cory Reed wanted to get back to his FFA roots. After serving as the chair for the National FFA Foundation Sponsors' Board, the John Deere executive learned about the concept of corporate alumni affiliation. Seven years later, what began as a grassroots effort with 12 initial employees has grown to more than 300 members across multiple states.

"We like to think of our chapter as a success because our members take the time and make the commitment to connect with young men and women who they've never met before because they know there is great value in the next generation of leaders," says Steve Conrad, FiHRE IT project manager and the current president of the John Deere FFA Alumni Chapter. "They don't back away from helping. They put their hearts into it, and they love it. You don't have to have worn the blue jacket to feel that way."

In fact, some of the members from John Deere did not grow up in an area with FFA chapters. While a few have experience through other youth leadership organizations, there are others who had never heard of the National FFA Organization before joining as alumni.

"While we love being in the schools and working with the home chapters near our facilities, bringing the students onto our campuses makes a huge difference," says Conrad. "During National FFA Week, we invite members in their Official Dress into the office to welcome our colleagues to work with a smile and a handshake. This seemingly small event makes a huge impact on our employees and really encourages them to join the alumni chapter and to get involved in everything we do."

John Deere's alumni chapter officers and members also support the efforts behind the John Deere Dealer scholarship program, as well as the International Leadership Seminar for State Officers and the National Leadership Conference for State Officers.

Growing Leadership

As a more recently established nontraditional FFA Alumni chapter, Monsanto has found that formalizing its engagement with FFA has been overwhelmingly positive.

"Twelve months ago, we clearly supported the mission of the National FFA Organization, but we wanted more opportunities to give back," says Erik Curry, strategic accounts, regional account manager, and the Monsanto FFA Alumni Chapter secretary. "We have a number of employees who already pursued lifetime alumni membership, so with the support of our executive leadership team, we formally chartered in January 2017."

Months later, the chapter, which is currently focused on Missouri and Illinois, is now up to 100 members and gaining momentum.

"While we are just starting with our alumni chapter, we are very excited for the opportunity to engage with FFA members and to help students in their personal development and career goals," says Kodi Fietsam, global biotechnology regulatory affairs manager and the Monsanto FFA Alumni Chapter president. "Many of our members were FFA members, too. Many of us attribute our experiences in FFA as a huge part of our development and getting us to where we are today. We want to give back just as much as what was given to us."

The Monsanto FFA Alumni Chapter is always looking forward to continuing its support by judging, coaching, and participating in food drives and community service events. In fact, the group hosted its first FFA Fishing Derby last summer to raise money for local chapters. Members awarded prizes, hosted a silent auction, and held a raffle. It was also a chance for alumni members to get their families involved.

Bridging the Gap

For those FFA members who choose to go to college after graduation, nontraditional alumni chapters like the one at the University of Arkansas provide an excellent way to bridge the gap between high school and the career world. The alumni chapter at Arkansas has nearly 30% of its membership enrolled in a major outside of the agriculture department.

"Many collegiate chapters have been structured like high school chapters," says Kate Shoulders, associate professor of agricultural education, communication, and technology at the University of Arkansas. "We want our students to feel like they are ready to move on to the next step when they graduate. They know what it's like to be an adult and to serve the students of FFA, and they know what the next step will be."

One of the most unique activities the University of Arkansas FFA Alumni Chapter does is support the work of the Leadership Development Event (LDE) superintendents at the National FFA Convention & Expo. They organize, judge, and give dedicated feedback to FFA members. While this is a great opportunity to understand how contests are run, it is also an excellent way to network and develop relationships with key business contacts.

Chain Reactions

Regardless of whether an alumni chapter is considered traditional or nontraditional, the impact that members have on local FFA chapters is unparalleled. The decision to become an FFA Alumni member starts a chain reaction that benefits the alumni member, the FFA member, and future generations of agriculture students. After unzipping the corduroy jacket, it is the perfect time to reach for an alumni blazer and button it up with great pride.