Clarke Central High School Future Farmers of America Chapter Secretary Max Burnham holds a rabbit in Room 314 on Feb. 6. According to Burnham, National FFA Week presented an opportunity to use the organization’s work for good. “It’s a time for us, especially as officers, to realize we need to get stuff done that we haven’t done yet this year,” Burnham said. “It’s a time to sit down, figure it all out, try to be as productive as we possibly can for our chapter and be able to positively impact the communities around us.” Photo by Cooper Jones
The National FFA Organization’s chapters are brought together to celebrate their work during National FFA Week.
National FFA Week is a yearly tradition for FFA chapters across the country. The official dates are Feb. 17-24, but the Clarke Central High School FFA chapter will celebrate the 2024 National FFA Week on Feb. 5-9.
Throughout the week, chapters across the country engage in events at schools and in their communities. For FFA adviser Levi Carr Brooks, the week creates a unifying experience for FFA members nationwide.
“National FFA Week is a celebration across America for all FFA members, guests and alumni come together to celebrate one cause, and that’s the support of agriculture in classrooms and communities throughout the entirety of America,” Carr Brooks said.
“National FFA Week is a celebration across America for all FFA members, guests and alumni come together to celebrate one cause, and that’s the support of agriculture in classrooms and communities throughout the entirety of America.”
— Carr Brooks,
FFA adviser
Sophomore Clarice Buril serves as the CCHS FFA Sentinel, a role which encompasses event planning, advertising, and other necessary tasks within the chapter. Buril feels that National FFA Week highlights the bonds formed between members.
“It’s a really big spotlight for the program. Everyone around the nation comes together,” Buril said. “If you’re in the club, it’s like a brotherhood. That’s what we call it, and it really is. FFA Week just illuminates it all.”
According to the National FFA Organization, National FFA Week consists of service, alumni recognition, and sponsor appreciation days. For Carr Brooks, these opportunities acknowledge students past and present in the program and further cement the program’s notion of being a family.
“The significance of National FFA Week is to bring recognition to FFA and its members. It showcases not only their hard work, but gives them a sense of community, in whatever capacity that looks like,” Carr Brooks said. “It allows the opportunity for community growth and personal growth for students and especially officers.”