April 2016
Youth Matters

FFA Chapters Now Available to Private Schools !

by Cindy Boyd

The Alabama Future Farmers of America has some exciting news to share! Private schools can now charter an FFA chapter. Historically, FFA has been strictly a public school organization.

Andy Chamness, education specialist in Agriscience Education with the Alabama Department of Education, said, “FFA is a wonderful way to teach agriculture and provide leadership training to our members.”

FFA being offered in private schools of Alabama is a new area.

The FFA’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The FFA vision is for students whose lives are impacted by FFA and agricultural education to achieve academic and personal growth, strengthen American agriculture, and provide leadership to build healthy local communities, a strong nation and a sustainable world. FFA is an inter-curricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership.

FFA was founded in 1928 with 33 students from 18 states. In 1929, the organization named their official colors as national blue and corn gold. Now, all 50 states and two U.S. territories have chartered members. Presently, there are approximately 629,367 student members belonging to one of the 7,575 local chapters.

Now that private schools can have an FFA chapter, the agricultural education can be offered to more students and pave the way for future biologists, chemists, veterinarians, engineers and entrepreneurs.

To find out more information on this exciting program, visit www.FFA.org. You may visit www.alabamaffa.org for more information on chartering an FFA chapter in Alabama.

If anyone has questions, they may contact Jacob Davis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or James Chamness at 334-242-9114 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Private School Requirements for Starting and Maintaining
an FFA Chapter Charter

Private School Agriscience Education Teachers

Effective: January 1, 2016 (subject to change)

  1. The agriscience program teacher holds a valid teaching certificate in agriscience education through the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE).

  2. The school offers an agriscience education program with a minimum of two courses in agriscience education from the approved Alabama Course of Study during each semester to maintain the FFA chapter as an integral part of the instructional program.

  3. The agriscience teacher maintains the FFA chapter and serves as the advisor.

  4. The agriscience program must undergo a program review (Business/Industry Certification) every five years.

  5. The FFA chapter annually submits the following by March 1:

  6. Enters chapter FFA members online: www.ffa.orgThe FFA chapter charter may be suspended according to Article III: Section A of the Alabama FFA Constitution.

    • Remits payment for those members to the Alabama FFA Association

    • Remits payment for the $100 chapter fee to the Alabama FFA Association

    • Submits an annual chapter report to the Alabama FFA Association

  7. All FFA chapters must adhere to the Alabama FFA Constitution. The Alabama FFA Constitution can be found on the “Forms/Applications” page of www.alabamaffa.org.

 

Items 1, 2, 3 and 4 above are to establish recognized systematic instruction of agriscience education as referenced in Article II: Section B of the Alabama FFA Constitution.

Items 5a, 5b and 5d above are references to Article III in the Alabama FFA Constitution.

Item 5c above references Article XIII: Section A in the Alabama FFA Constitution.

*The ALSDE cannot award funds directly to private schools, but local education agencies (LEAs) that receive funds from the ALSDE may contract with private schools providing services.