NRCS Brings Conservation Mission and Education to 78th Annual Texas FFA Convention

The 78th Annual Texas Future Farmers of America (FFA) Convention had attendees in the thousands combining students, teachers, agriculture professionals, landowners, producers, sponsors, and retailers all together for a great show with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) right in the mix getting information about conservation programs and agricultural education to everyone that visited the NRCS booth.

The annual convention was held on July 11-14, 2006, at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas. NRCS had two objectives at the FFA Convention this year, to deliver information about conservation, volunteer, and educational programs, along with having two NRCS personnel assisting with the 2006 Agri-Science Fair Essay Contest.

The Agri-Science Fair promotes the extension of a science-related curriculum into the Supervised Agricultural Experience Program, which is excellent hands-on career preparation tied into an agricultural science curriculum, student aptitude skills, along with their career and educational goals within the agricultural industry. NRCS Tarrant County District Conservationist Michael Brooks judged several of the essays in the Environmental Sciences category, and NRCS Natural Resources Manager Glenn Lubke assisted the panel’s efforts to bring the best essay forward as a winner. There were five categories, which included Biochemistry/Microbiology/Food Science, Environment Sciences, Zoology, Botany, and Mechanical/Agricultural Engineering.

“The Texas FFA has a strong and rich tradition, and we saw the best of the best this week,” said Lubke. “The future of our nation looks bright with these young people taking an active role in our society. The student’s agricultural science advisors and parents should be commended for their time spent in developing and improving these students.”

The Texas FFA Association has many claims to fame with more than 61,000 active members, for there were over 1,500 young men and women honored at this year’s convention receiving nearly $2 million in scholarships. This year, Texas FFA was “fueled by passion” to get ready for careers after college with all that FFA has to offer. One of the keynote speakers was Texas Governor Rick Perry, who is a FFA member and spoke about the FFA mission. He focused on how FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential leadership, personal growth, and career success through agriculture. The FFA motto is learning to do, doing to learn, earning to live, and living to serve.

“Whatever your dream – pursue it with vigor and integrity – being here today, Texas is grateful,” said Governor Perry. “This organization is very important to make a living in agriculture, and a life of success. The students benefit and as a FFA member, it opened many doors for me plus receiving a quality education – that’s what FFA is today.”

Overall, several hundred visitors came by the NRCS booth to receive information about conservation programs, careers with the agency, volunteer and educational opportunities, along with great conversation from NRCS personnel about any agricultural issues the attendees needed answered. It was a non-stop, high-profiled convention providing all the visitors and sponsors information about helping people with conservation and agricultural issues, and most of all – Helping People Help the Land.

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