News

FFA gives youth skills for on and off the farm

Wisconsin’s State FFA President Joseph Schleis says FFA has grown over the years, with students doing and learning more than farming skills. “We have students who are doing research projects within laboratories, but then there’s also some members that just really focus on community service.”

He says today’s FFA also focuses on leadership development and helping students learn skills needed on or off the farm. “Those soft skills that employers are really looking for, whether that’s critical thinking, communication, you know, you have teamwork. Those are really important, and I think this year something that FFA members have really been able to demonstrate and get a grip of is adaptability.”

And, Schleis says FFA is not just for the kids from the farm. “We highlight that we’re an organization for the future, but we’re for everyone.”

Schleis is a member of the Denmark, Wisconsin FFA chapter, son of two FFA alumni, shows steers, and helps his family on a hobby farm.