By Shala Watson
Multimedia Writer
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced this week that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will partner with the National FFA Organization to support youth and prepare the workforce of tomorrow for unique careers in agriculture.
Secretary Perdue and CEO of the National FFA Organization Mark Poeschl signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between USDA and National FFA.
“At National FFA, we are preparing our students to be tomorrow’s leaders in agriculture,” Poeschl said. “Through this MOU, USDA helps us continue our vision of growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture. We look forward to our partnership and the ability to share our ideas with USDA.”
Under the newly signed MOU, USDA and National FFA will collaborate on both short- and long-term initiatives to motivate and prepare young people, connect them with opportunities in agriculture, food and natural resources systems and build appreciation for the reach and importance of agriculture.
The MOU was signed in Washington, D.C. during the National FFA Organization’s State Presidents’ Conference.
“You’re already accomplished and identified as leaders within your state,” Perdue told the group. “Take that leadership ability and in a humble way and in a way that leads people by example…leads them in the right way not just agriculturally, but also in civic engagement.”
Perdue encouraged the group of FFA presidents to become strong spokespeople for agriculture.
“We’ve got to have the youth of America leading the charge of American agriculture and telling the message,” Perdue said.
He said he wants to mobilize FFA and urged the group to “tell the great story of American agriculture.”
He said the amount of people agriculture will have to feed in the next 30 years is “staggering,” and FFA members’ “passion, brainpower, effort and energy” will be needed to accomplish that.
Click here to read the full MOU.