Future Farmers of America, otherwise known as FFA, is an important part of Royal High School and the Royal Slope, which is home to many other crops beyond world-class wine grapes, including apples, cherries, potatoes, onions, hay, wheat, dried beans, peas, corn, mint, peaches, pears, pumpkins, melons, squash, carrots and the list goes on and on! On the livestock end of things, we are also home to dairies and cattle ranches, to boot!
Following in their father’s footsteps, our kids have embraced participating in FFA while in high school with our oldest daughter Addi competing over the years and also holding an FFA officer position, to now freshman daughter Ava recently earning a berth to the state competition for Creed Speaking (memorizing and reciting the FFA Creed, below), and also as part of a group competing in Conduct of Chapter Meetings.
I think if you take a moment to read the Creed below it says so much about farm life on the Royal Slope and across the country. The Creed was adopted by FFA in 1930 and revised only twice since, but the message transcends generations of agriculturists and still applies today.
We often get asked if our kids are going to come back to be involved in the family farm (my husband Josh is only a second-generation farmer, by the way) – it is our hope they follow their dreams and passions, and if that leads them back some day we will be proud to provide them with an opportunity to be involved. Should their passions take them elsewhere, we will be proud to support whatever brings them happiness. With our oldest, Addi, graduating Royal High School this spring, it is with great anticipation we look ahead at the coming years to see where life takes her, and hope that she knows the farm will always be “home” regardless of where she lands.
Cheers,
Lisa
THE FFA CREED
I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds – achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.
I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny.
I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturists to serve our own and the public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil.
I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining; in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so–for others as well as myself; in less need for charity and more of it when needed; in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends upon me.
I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.
The creed was written by E.M. Tiffany and adopted at the Third National FFA Convention. It was revised at the 38th and 63rd Conventions.
Comments