AEM is proud to support the National FFA Organization and all the ways it works to promote positive change, develop the next generation of leaders, and influence how the world grows.
The association sat down with Autumn Lankford, AEM government relations manager, ahead of FFA Week to discuss the importance of the National FFA Organization on both the equipment manufacturing industry and those who participate in their local chapter. As an FFA alumni herself, Lankford has unique insights into its impact on the industry and beyond.
AEM: Why is it important for our industry to be aware of FFA, and how does it support those in agriculture and beyond?
Lankford: The National FFA Organization is a really interesting youth organization in my mind, because it's one of the few that’s not just focused on social skills. It truly is helping to point participants in the direction of career-oriented decisions, and helping people connect their passion to their future career.
For the industry, we connect FFA a lot to the workforce. Everyone knows that we need more technicians, more engineers, and more bodies on the shop floor. FFA can fill in those gaps and can light the fire that will drive people into those positions.
AEM: How has your experience with FFA contributed to your career growth, and how does it help others grow their skills?
Lankford: This is a deeply personal thing to me specifically, but I know that there are others that also share the similar experience. If it wasn't for FFA and the scholarships that I received through it, I wouldn’t have gone to college. I also don’t think I would have secured my first internship with the USDA without the American Degree that I was awarded during my time with FFA. It's something that I could put on my resume to stand out, and it tied me to others who have been involved with FFA in the past.
It's easy to talk about, easy to bring up, and it has helped me relate to others. Even now, I'm several years out of high school, several years out of college, but I can still speak on the value of my time with FFA. Members of Congress and staffers know the meaning of that blue FFA jacket, and it can open up conversations that wouldn’t have happened otherwise.
AEM: What is the importance of FFA Week to you, and to our industry?
Lankford: For me, when I was involved in FFA it was a great time to introduce other people to the organization. It also shows them that you don’t have to have cows to participate – there is something for everyone whether you live on a farm or not.
It’s really a chance for people as alumni and outside supporters to get involved. It’s also a chance for our industry to show that we support FFA and see the benefits of the organization as a whole. Throughout our industry, this week is a helpful reminder of the value of FFA to personal career skills, and in creating a pipeline of skilled workers to combat the labor shortage in equipment manufacturing and beyond.
