This week is National FFA Week 2023.
I grew up the son of a high school agriculture instructor and FFA advisor in Newark, Illinois. My dad worked with high school ag students, all boys when I was young. His work was sort of like a combination of high school teacher and scoutmaster. His role as FFA Advisor called on him to supervise and assist students in a variety of activities and competitions. He spent a lot of time either at the school or at activities and contests with his students. National FFA Week was always a big deal.
One of the highlights of the FFA year was National FFA Week. Held every year the week of Presidents’ Day. It was kind of like homecoming week. Every day had a theme:
- Official Dress Day – members would wear their official FFA uniform to school. Black pants, white shirt, tie and a blue corduroy FFA jacket.
- Dress-up-like-a-farmer day.
- Drive-a-tractor-to-school day.
- FFA Barnyard Day – the FFA shop would be filled with animals.
- Baby chicks would be hatching;
- A sow would farrow baby pigs;
- A couple of baby lambs would be there with their mother; and
- Usually a horse.
- There would be an assembly on Friday with an Ag Olympics competition to see who was the best at a variety of ag-related activities like stacking hay bales, carrying feed buckets, and backing a tractor through cones.
I remember FFA Week fondly. I treasured my time in the organization. When I was little, I envied the ag boys and all the “cool” things they got to do. I also envied all the time they got to spend with my dad. I looked forward to a chance to be in high school and to be an FFA member. In the fall of 1976, I joined the Newark High School FFA chapter.
During my time in FFA, I was elected to serve as a chapter officer, I competed in a variety of competitions, won some awards, and eventually concluded my involvement as a state FFA officer in Illinois.
When we buried my dad back in 2019, several of his “FFA boys” came to the funeral to pay respects. They were all old men, but they all commented on what my dad and his work with them during FFA had meant to them. I was moved and honored by the tribute.
As I work with families as a fiduciary financial planner, I hope to help just a few people as much as my dad helped his FFA Boys.
During National FFA Week I want to thank my FFA Advisor (my dad) for all he did for me. Thanks to FFA Advisors everywhere.
Yes, I am a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. I’m always a fiduciary and I work on a fee basis. And yes, I’m still taking on a few great families to be part of my financial planning practice. If you would like to talk about your financial goals, I would be honored to help you. Just follow this LINK to find a time that works for you.
If this article has you thinking about your own circumstances, contact my office at rdunn@dunncreekadvisors.com. I am always happy to meet with people who are working on their financial plans. Dunncreek Advisors does not provide legal or tax advice, nor is this article intended to do so.