Future Farmers of America (FFA) works to prepare youth across the United States for careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture by helping them develop talents and explore interests in a broad range of agricultural career paths. Nationwide there are more than 850,000 FFA members.
In October FFA hosted its Annual Convention and Expo, gathering its members from local chapters in Indianapolis for four days of expos, educational activities, awards, entertainment, and even an Agriscience Fair. Last week Rick Hamada of Sustaining Hawaii sat down to speak with two young students who took home the gold award at the fair – Ynez Gaborno and Nicholas Nishimura.
These two 8th graders from Waipahu Intermediate School are deeply passionate about the future of agriculture and the opportunities provided by FFA. “FFA stands out for me because of how many opportunities it gives you,” shared Ynez. “This is a really big opportunity – talking on this radio show. FFA helps me develop my speaking skills and people skills.”
FFA doesn’t just help kids develop communication skills, though – they take Agriscience seriously. Ynez and Nicholas’ winning project explored the socioeconomic effects of nutritional disparity. “I’ve always been interested in solving problems, especially when I know the people around me are affected and they’re better because of what I do,” Nicholas explained. “I’m so happy to be able to work with FFA at such a young age; to be able to cultivate the next generation of agriculture for the next generation of people.”
This opportunity also lets kids like Ynez and Nicholas see a different part of the country. Their favorite parts of their Indianapolis trip? Checking out regional fast-food chains and seeing a midwestern autumn. “It was fall when we got there so it was really cool to see all of the yellow and orange leaves,” explains Ynez. “During the airplane ride I was like, ‘Wow – they have fall!’ We don’t really have that here.”
What’s next for Ynez and Nicholas? Ynez is interested in following in her mom’s footsteps as an engineer, and Nicholas is exploring bioengineering. FFA is helping them navigate both paths, developing skills and experiences that will be invaluable as they continue their educations and kickstart their careers.
Listen to the latest Sustaining Hawaii episode to learn more about FFA and hear from these future leaders firsthand.