(Originally published on February 23, 2011, links updated Feb 23, 2015.)

It’s a big week in the Ag world! This week we are celebrating National FFA Week.

Each year, FFA chapters around the country celebrate National FFA Week. The week-long tradition began in 1947 when the National FFA Board of Directors designated the week of George Washington’s birthday as National FFA Week in recognition of his legacy as an agriculturist and farmer. The first National FFA Week was held in 1948. Today, FFA Week always runs Saturday to Saturday and encompasses Feb. 22, Washington’s birthday.*

A majority of people have heard about the FFA organization, but most people assume that it’s just about kids who grew up on a farm and are only concerned with beef cows, big tractors and blue jackets. But this is definitely not the case!

FFA, which used to stand for (Future Farmers of America), has come a long way over the years. The main purpose of FFA is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their:

• Potential for premier leadership
• Personal growth
• Career success through agricultural education

By this point, you might be asking yourself, what IS the deal with those blue jackets they wear?

According to the National FFA Timeline and other sources, the jackets were originally created to be worn by the Fredericktown Band of the Fredericktown FFA Chapter, and soon the jackets caught on with other chapters. The Official FFA Jacket was adopted in 1933 as the Organization’s “Official Dress” and now serves as a symbol of professionalism and pride. If you want to read more about the jacket’s history, you can get it straight from the company who makes them- Universal Lettering Company.

To more about the history of FFA, check out their website: https://www.ffa.org/about/what-is-ffa/ffa-history

And in true FFA fashion, always remember to “Lead out Loud” this week with your “Blue Jackets, Gold Standards”—HAPPY FFA WEEK EVERYONE!

*Excerpt from http://www.ffa.org.