State Rep. Sarah Lightner recently led the House in adopting a measure to declare Feb. 19-26 as FFA Week in Michigan.

Lightner, an FFA alumni and volunteer, introduced the resolution to bring awareness to the importance of FFA programs and the role they play helping young people develop public speaking and problem-solving skills and teaching them how to conduct and participate in meetings, manage financial matters, and assume civic responsibilities.

“An FFA education goes beyond just sows, cows and plows,” said Lightner, of Springport. “FFA seeks to cultivate the next generation of leaders across any industry by teaching skills necessary to be effective and successful. These skills can lead to success in areas ranging from business leaders, engineers and high-ranking government officials.”

Although FFA was established in 1928 as an organization solely for farmers, it has become the largest career and technical student organization in the U.S., focusing on agriculture, food, and natural resources. Today, Michigan has more than 100 local FFA chapters spread across six regions.

“As a lifetime FFA member, I know these local chapters are preparing Michigan students to be effective leaders in the agricultural industry and beyond while following the FFA motto: ‘Learning to do, doing to learn, earning to live, living to serve,’” Lightner said.

Lightner recited the FFA Creed on the House floor before her resolution was adopted.

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