4-H and FFA Opportunities for Non-Farm Kids: Scholarships

As discussed in a previous blog, agriculture-based youth development programs, 4-H and FFA are key

Blue graduation cap with a yellow tassel with "Scholarships" written across the top.

topics for anyone and everyone to be involved in. 4-H in Tennessee is open to 4th-12th grade and FFA is open to 7th-12th grade students. Although, not all middle schools have FFA or a Career and Technical Education sector, many schools in Tennessee do having over 30, 000 members and 220 chapters state-wide according to Tennessee FFA. While both organizations have similarities, this blog post will be about the FFA program specifically. A journal article by Will Doss and John Rayfield mainly discusses a gap between school principals and agriculture programs, it still provides information on the importance of FFA programs. Literature on FFA programs is difficut to find, but this source provided most, if not all, of the activities and events that FFA offers. School-based agricultural education (SBAE) forcuses on middle and high school students in agriculture classrooms using laboratory instruction, FFA participation, and SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience) participation. FFA programs at each school "have the opportunity to participate in local, district, area, state, and national conventions and meetings" (Doss, Rayfield, 2021). The article discusses events specific to Texas FFA programs. One SAE program is livestock programs, similar to 4-H which was discussed in last week's blog post. Additionally, agriculture mechanic shows are popular in Texas for students involved in an agriculture mechanics SAE to exhibit their work. By being involved in FFA and/or an SAE program, "students have the opportunity to earn FFA scholarships, earn FFA degrees, compete for FFA Star Awards, and compete in SAE proficiency awards" (Doss, Rayfield, 2021). 

With that being said, there are many scholarship opportunities through programs like 4-H and FFA. In my personal experience, scholarships have always been an easy task to apply for and (sometimes, but not all the time) receive. I graduated high school in 2020, the year the COVID-19 pandemic began. I had a lot of down time to apply for scholarship after scholarship. I received one from the National FFA Organization with John Deere Meade Tractor for my freshman year of college. I received two scholarships from my high school, one from my college, and one from my local fair. I'm not saying this to brag, but I am saying this to encourage everyone -not just students in agriculture- to apply for scholarships. Apply if it is for $100, $1,000 or $10,000. Being involved in agriculture-based youth development programs looks good on any scholarship application, so financing for college can be an easier task in the future.