Celebrating National FFA Week

This week is National FFA Week, and as it does every year at this time, The Odessa Record, with the support of the Odessa and Harrington communities, salutes the high-school and eighth-grade students who dedicate themselves to this extra-curricular activity at their respective schools. Their advisor Erica Whitmore holds half-time positions at both schools, a situation that keeps her very busy and very often driving on the well-traveled road between the two schools.

Through FFA, young people learn practical approaches to the science, business and technology aspects of agriculture that they learn in the classroom. There are FFA chapters in all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half a million U.S. youngsters are involved in the 7,489 chapters across the nation.

Sponsors from the agricultural industry provide support for programs, activities and scholarships for FFA members. In 2010, that support amounted to $15.6 million. Locally, sponsors also donate time, money and sometimes their premises for learning activities, fund raising and scholarships.

Pages 6 and 7 in this issue of The Record show the involvement of Odessa and Harrington FFA members, along with their supporters in business and in their respective communities.