Warren County Middle School FFA Advocates for Agriculture at Virginia Capitol

In a spirited display of advocacy and passion for agriculture, students from Warren County Middle School’s FFA chapter journeyed to Richmond on January 24, 2024, to participate in the Virginia Advocate for Agriculture FFA Day at the State Capitol. The event, held on January 25, 2024, saw over 400 FFA members from 53 chapters across Virginia convene to engage with state legislators during the General Assembly session.

Agriculture FFA Day at the State Capitol.

A delegation of ten enthusiastic students from Warren County Middle School met with their local representatives, Senator Timmy French and Delegate Delores Oates, to discuss their involvement in FFA, Career Development Events, the state of agriculture, and the importance of agricultural education. Senator Timmy French, reflecting on his own FFA presidency at Central High School, shared how those experiences significantly influenced his personal and professional growth. He encouraged the students to continue their FFA journey, highlighting its potential to open doors to future opportunities.

The visit was marked by a thoughtful exchange of homemade blackberry jam with Delegate Mark Obenshain and other representatives, a gesture symbolizing the fruits of agricultural labor and education. This special jam, produced at Grave’s Mountain Lodge—home of the Virginia FFA Leadership Camp each July—served as a delicious reminder of the state’s rich agricultural heritage.

Preparation for this impactful day included a workshop in November at Signal Knob Middle School’s FFA chapter in Strasburg. Led by Rhett Laubach, the workshop equipped students with essential advocacy skills, including research, development, and delivery of persuasive messages on key agricultural issues.

Members of the Warren County Middle School’s FFA chapter.

Participants from Warren County Middle School included Allie Alloway, Nettie Bowman, Bella Kaplan, Piney Miller, Aliana Munoz, Omarion Pinner, Marleigh Pinto, Hannah Reinhard, Grace Ross, and Ava Shanor. They also received a briefing from Dana Fisher of the Virginia Farm Bureau, enriching their presentations with critical facts and figures about Virginia’s agriculture.

The Virginia FFA, as the nation’s first state FFA association, boasts a membership exceeding 42,000 active members. It offers students invaluable opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios, fostering skills through local, state, and national competitions. For more details on the Virginia FFA Association and its programs, visit www.vaffa.org.