By Landee Kieschnick
Communications Intern
Texas is known for doing everything bigger. Big hats, big steaks and big dreams.
Across Texas, thousands of youth are living out big dreams and becoming more active in agriculture.
Organizations like 4-H and the Texas FFA Association are motivating kids to be involved in livestock projects, food and nutrition, science spectrums, academic projects and more.
“The most exciting thing that’s happening with Texas agricultural science education and FFA is that we’re growing,” Executive Director of the Texas FFA Foundation Aaron Alejandro said. “More students are in the classroom learning about where their food comes from, how it’s marketed and how it’s distributed internationally.”
Texas FFA membership is now more than 117,000. One in every six FFA members in the U.S. now resides in Texas, according to Alejandro.
The 4-H program in Texas also is making an impact on Texas youth by reaching more than 550,000 a year with its various projects and activities.
“We are still very strong in rural America and Texas, but we continue to see growth in urban areas as well,” Chris Boleman, director of the Texas 4-H Youth Development Program, said.
An increase that Boleman said could be from implementing new projects that youth can participate in.
“Right now, we’ve seen a big growth in anything science-related. Particularly a new robotics program that has an ag focus concerning issues like water, and by building and using robots, how can they make it work in their community,” Boleman said.
The Texas FFA is also showing strong numbers in urban areas with Houston having more FFA members, chapters and advisors than 25 percent of the states in the U.S.
“The fact that we’re giving out more than $2 million a year in awards and academic scholarships makes us excited about the kids coming to our program,” Alejandro said. “FFA is about leadership and preparing young people for the rest of their career paths and lives.”
For both organizations, a goal of fulfilling big dreams and providing opportunities for youth continues to be their commitment.
From active living, to hands-on learning and all the in between, Boleman said the one guarantee that will never change is the commitment of developing leaders and life skills.