This Career Cluster prepares learners for careers in the planning, implementation, production, management, processing and/or marketing of agricultural commodities and services. This includes food, fiber, wood products, natural resources, horticulture, and other plant and animal products. It also includes related professional, technical and educational services.

Employment opportunities will continue to increase for those who provide and market an expanding array of food, forest, and veterinary medical consumer products to a growing world population. Continued globalization of the food, agricultural and natural resources system will increase opportunities for graduates who understand the socio-economic factors that define international markets. Graduates who know how to satisfy the diverse consumer needs and preferences in different cultures, and who have the language skills to communicate effectively, will have the best opportunities to be employed by the growing number of multinational businesses.

Horticulture Science--Agriscience, Principles of Plant Science & Hydroculture, Greenhouse Management, Landscaping & Turf Science

Veterinary & Animal  Science--Agriscience, Small Animal Science, Large Animal Science, Veterinary Science

 

Future Farmers of America FFA  

FFA is structured on three levels: local, state and national. Tennessee FFA is led by a Board of Directors and the State Officers lead the membership. Local FFA chapters are chartered through the state associations.

The Tennessee FFA Association consists of more than 14,000 FFA members from over 220 chapters. FFA is a diverse organization, operating in rural, urban and suburban schools. Students ages 12-21 enrolled in agriscience education programs are eligible for membership (reference the FFA constitution for full membership details).

Mission

FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

To accomplish its mission, Tennessee FFA:

•     Develops competent and assertive agricultural leadership.
•     Increases awareness of the global and technological importance of agriculture and its contribution to our well-being.
•     Strengthens the confidence of agriculture students in themselves and their work.
•     Promotes the intelligent choice and establishment of an agricultural career.
•     Encourages achievement in supervised agricultural experience programs.
•     Encourages wise management of economic, environmental and human resources of the community.
•     Develops interpersonal skills in teamwork, communications, human relations and social interaction.
•     Builds character and promotes citizenship, volunteerism and patriotism.
•     Promotes cooperation and cooperative attitudes among all people.
•     Promotes healthy lifestyles.
•     Encourages excellence in scholarship.

Motto

The FFA motto gives members twelve short words to live by as they experience the opportunities in the organization. Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.

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 3rd National Convention of the FFA. It was revised at the 38th Convention and the 63rd Convention.