Nebraska FFA Chapters celebrated National FFA Week, February 20-27, with show stopping performances! The theme for the week - "Lead Out Loud" - challenged FFA members nationwide to show off what makes them premier leaders in their schools and communities. More than half a million FFA members from across the nation participated in National FFA Week, which is held the last week of February in honor of President George Washington’s birthday. From breakfasts for school teachers and administrators to petting zoos for elementary students, each Nebraska chapter uniquely celebrated the week, but all showcased how they "Lead Out Loud."

Sage Henderson, President of the Alliance FFA chapter, explained that the chapter’s FFA Week traditions play a leading role when deciding the week’s activities. FFA week started early in Alliance as chapter officers attended the City Council meeting to receive the official FFA Week proclamation signed by the mayor and thanked the council for their support of agricultural education and FFA. Members amplified the week by decorating local businesses’ windows with window paint and assisted the local alumni chapter with their annual toy show. At school, members hosted a breakfast for teachers and administrators thanking them for their support, celebrated with a chapter pizza party, and represented the chapter with "FFA T-Shirt Day."

At Franklin, FFA members celebrated the week in style. Dave Rocker, Franklin FFA advisor, reported that students reached out to local businesses with cookie plates and hosted a breakfast for FFA supporters. Students also participated in agriculture trivia throughout the week, as well as enjoyed an ice cream social. To wrap up the week, elementary students and baby animals filled the shop for a day as members brought in an assortment of baby animals from their own farms for Friday’s petting zoo.

Leigh FFA had specific themes for each day of FFA Week. On Monday, students had the opportunity to relax for the day, as "Pajama Day" took the stage. Tuesday was donut day, where both members and community members enjoyed delicious donuts. The school parking lot had a makeover on Wednesday when members drove something a little different to school for "Ugly Vehicle Day." On Thursday, students participated by dressing up for "Ugly Redneck Day." And finally, members wrapped up National FFA Week by wearing their FFA t-shirts to school on Friday.

Congratulations to all of our FFA chapters for doing such a fine job promoting youth in agriculture.  Here’s to what a fantastic week it was in honoring the greatest youth organization in the world – FFA!

Click here to see pictures of FFA Week activities.