National FFA Convention
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=143810
Printed Date: 26 Jun 2025 at 6:56am
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Topic: National FFA Convention
Posted By: DanC911
Subject: National FFA Convention
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 6:42pm
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As I am watching the National FFA convention I started wondering how many forum members are FFA alumni or have kids in the FFA. I was not a member and didn't have exposure to it as a kid. Connecticut has a small Vo-Ag program and not growing up on a farm I didn't know about it. I am very impressed by these kids and their families have a lot to be proud of. If you are or were an FFA member, would you be willing to share the biggest thing that you gained, learned or how it effected your life? It would be interesting to see if you are still carrying those lessons with you. ------------- 1950 WD, 1955 B, 66 Jacobsen Chief-O-Matic, 68 Simplicity 2110, 77 IH Cub Cadet 1450 w/front loader |
Replies:
Posted By: exSW
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 7:05pm
| Definitely still use the speaking,communication and meeting skills that FFA helped to develop. Former Chapter Officer. Sire off former Chapter and State Officer. |
Posted By: baverwolf
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 7:57pm
| Former member. I learned a lot through FFA. Mechanics, range plants, livestock judging, and probably the most important for me, as I struggled with it the most, was public speaking and communication skills. Met a lot of nice people, made many friends, and had way too much fun at national convention! |
Posted By: Gary in da UP
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 8:00pm
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I was in FFA from '67 thru '71, we were row crop farmers and our teachers emphasis was on livestock so I was not too interested in dairy, beef, or hogs. I was on the meat judging team and went to Michigan State University and competed at state level .. Just this last week I found my old FFA jacket , size 42 , don't think I'll ever fit in that again, lol . I don't think our school still has a chapter , I'd love to donate it to to a kid who could use it Gary |
Posted By: CrestonM
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 8:15pm
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I was a member in high school. I enjoyed it to an extent, but honestly in the town I grew up, FFA was the biggest joke there ever was. I didn't learn a darn thing in it. I learn more from my grandpa in a week than I did from 3 years in FFA. (I was only in it for 3 years, as I didn't even know we had an FFA during my freshman year. That's how little it was pushed/advertised) The teacher spent most all the days with his feet up on the desk eating peanuts and looking at ATVs and Ford tractors on Craigslist. We welded a little bit, but not enough to shake a stick at. Some people showed livestock, but the adviser limited them to hogs or sheep. 1 boy showed chickens independently and a girl showed steers, also independently. Many of us wanted to show cattle or other animals through FFA, but he wouldn't allow it. We also wanted a livestock judging team, but he didn't, so it didn't happen. A group of us boys wanted to form a tractor restoration team and hopefully make it to the National level with that, but that again was shot down. We had the knowledge and tools, and even had a lady willing to donate a decent Farmall A for the project. I did go to the National Convention 1 year, and it was fun. It was in Louisville in 2015, and we spent more time sight seeing than we did at the actual convention, so I'm not sure it was really as the trip should've been. My sister is in FFA and is at the convention for the first time this year. They arrived in Indianapolis tonight, and will be at the convention tomorrow. |
Posted By: JW in MO
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 8:37pm
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I was vice president my senior year, my name is in the minutes of a national convention I think in 1974 in Kansas City. Back then it was during the American Royal and our Advisor taught us how to sneak in the side door where the animals were to see the rodeo and concert. That night it was Johnny Rodrigues. One of the worst good times I've ever had was a district meeting in Kirksville, MO, I was 16 and ended up taking the MO Commissioner of Agriculture and his pilot to the airport after the meeting. The commissioner's pilot was actually a MO highway patrolman, yeah, the funny part is how I found that out!!!!!
------------- Maximum use of available resources! |
Posted By: Travis2766
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 9:12pm
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I made 2 trips to national convention as a member. I have many great memories from my FFA years, one of the best was when I was on our district farm mechanics team and we placed 3rd in the state. Now my daughter is at the convention this week for her first time! What a fantastic organization! ------------- 190XT Series III, D17 Series IV, D15 Series II, All Crop 66 and a whole mess of equipment. |
Posted By: sparky
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 9:18pm
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Some of the best times I remember was Vo-AG and FFA. Learned to strike my first arc weld when I was a freshman. My Instructor was Mr. Art Windell (deceased)and he was always involved and interested in all his students farming operations. In the summer vacation months he would visit EVERY one of his students farms at least twice during the summer. We wanted to build a large greenhouse at school and Mr.Windell worked out a deal with the local A-C dealer to assemble no-til planters for a price and that financed the greenhouse. Before that we had never seen a no-til planter. (1968) He was passionate about farming and the FFA and that passion was transmitted to his students. A great man and a great organization. ------------- It's the color tractor my grandpa had! |
Posted By: allisrutledge
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 9:59pm
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'74-'78 In the big city of Surgoinsville TN. (Graduating 100% of a class of 42 students)Would not take anything for the experience. From soil judging to conventions, I tried to do it all. I have award plaques displayed in the farm office to this day . I had a real bad grade in junior English because I would rather be in shop or ag. Scott ------------- Allis Chalmers still exist in my mind and barns |
Posted By: allisrutledge
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 10:08pm
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Sparkly, Corydon equipment? I think of that place every time I go in the barn. You must of had a great advisor also. Lynn Norris was one of mine and I still feel as if he is part of my family . others were great also just in case they see this!!! ------------- Allis Chalmers still exist in my mind and barns |
Posted By: truckerfarmer
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 12:01am
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Vice president my senior year. Did meat judging Junior and Senior years. ------------- Looking at the past to see the future. '53 WD, '53 WD45, WD snap coupler field cultivator, #53 plow,'53 HD5B dozer Duct tape.... Can't fix stupidity. But will muffle the sound of it! |
Posted By: Stan IL&TN
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 7:25am
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I never was a member in high school. I guess it didn't interest me at the time or maybe I figured I lived the farm life every day and didn't see the point? Dad was not a member so there wasn't a push there but dad was in high school in the 30's so maybe that was before FFA? ------------- 1957 WD45 dad's first AC 1968 one-seventy 1956 F40 Ferguson |
Posted By: Brian F(IL)
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 7:30am
| 1972-1976. Had great advisors my first three years and an OK advisor my senior year. Learned a lot about public speaking, running organized meetins (through parlimentary procedure contests), soil judging, goofing off, etc. Didn't learn much in the shop area as I was already working at Dad's dealership. That's where I really learned stuff. |
Posted By: Pete from IL
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 7:31am
| I had 4 years of FFA . Went to the National convention in Kansas City in the late 70's . Probably 1978. I can remember a full convention hall and everyone singing" How great Thou art" to end the day. It was very moving. I doubt if they would sing any kind of religious song like that today. Also remember touring the Gleaner combine plant in Independence, Mo . |
Posted By: Hubert (Ga)engine7
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 7:50am
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Creston, sad that you had such a poor excuse for an advisor. A good advisor who is really interested in the kids can make for a great FFA experience (see Sparky's post above). Teachers like that should be fired but in most systems that is near impossible but if they are politically incorrect they are gone. He really was not a teacher but just somebody with a degree drawing a paycheck. ------------- Just an old country boy saved by the grace of God. |
Posted By: CrestonM
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 8:04am
Thanks, Hubert, but you are right. This is the only school he's ever taught at, and he's been here since '81. Looking back on some older chapter photos, back in the '80s and '90s FFA was a lot different. Seemed like one would think an FFA chapter should be. However, he is building a new house about 35 miles away, and rumors are saying he's going to retire at the end of this school year. Maybe they can get somebody in there then that will save what's left, if they decide to keep the program around even. Our woodshop teacher has been here the same amount of time, and he is just the total opposite. You couldn't find a better shop teacher. It's gong to be a sad day when he retires because everyone is certain the shop will be closed when he does. There is already a new teacher that's been working there a few years, but nobody cares for him. Each of the teachers have their own classes, and nearly all accidents happen in the new teacher's classes. When I was a Sr, one of the kids in the new teacher's class ran his hand over the jointer knives when he was using his hand to push the board. One girl ran her thumb over a table router doing the same thing. Then another run his thumb over a table saw, using his hand to push the board. Luckily it's one of those SawStop saws, so he didn't get a knick. Just cost him $150 to repair.
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Hubert (Ga)engine7 wrote:Posted By: Hubert (Ga)engine7
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 8:19am
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Each of the teachers have their own classes, and nearly all accidents happen in the new teacher's classes. When I was a Sr, one of the kids in the new teacher's class ran his hand over the jointer knives when he was using his hand to push the board. One girl ran her thumb over a table router doing the same thing. Then another run his thumb over a table saw, using his hand to push the board. Luckily it's one of those SawStop saws, so he didn't get a knick. Just cost him $150 to repair. Safety should be the FIRST thing taught in any shop class and all safety procedures enforced. At least $150 repair bill is better than a $15,000+ medical bill or losing a thumb. ------------- Just an old country boy saved by the grace of God. |
Posted By: Hubert (Ga)engine7
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 8:29am
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Spent 4 years in FFA, was chapter treasurer last two years. Learned public speaking and other communication skills as well as land judging, beef and dairy cattle judging which helped me a lot later on in life. We had a young ag teacher fresh out of college and us miscreants really gave him a rough time but he was enthusiastic and tough so he hung in there and did a great job. He married a lovely local girl and taught ag there until he retired. I still see him every now and then when I go back home. Good times, good memories and some good lessons learned. ------------- Just an old country boy saved by the grace of God. |
Posted By: darrel in ND
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 8:37am
| There was no FFA or shop class, or anything fun in the school I graduated from. Of course, it was a small school (9 students in my graduating class), so any extra curricular wasn't really feasible. It was play basketball, and that was about it. I am sure there were lots of up-sided things to attending a school this small though, that I am taking for granted. Some of us did skip out of a study hall daily and go down to the service station that our buddies owned, and take in a little "shop class" there. Now, fast forward to my kids. The school that they attended is hugely strong in FFA. All my kids except the youngest, have attended at least one or two national conventions. They've been to Oklahoma City for national range judging. They've been to nationals in meats judging. They've really thrived in it. I couldn't begin to list all of the accomplishments they've accumulated through FFA, by having an advisor who really had his heart and soul in the program, and the benefit of students being priority. There have been city kids that graduated from Hebron that have went on to become vo-ag teachers/FFA advisors. It's awesome. Darrel |
Posted By: Ranse
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 8:40am
| I was in FFA all four years of high school. It was in the early 80s, and in my day you got what you wanted out of it. Most of the boys just wanted an easy class and to goof off. I was that way to a degree. If you was serious about it, you could get a lot out of it. We did all of the things previously mentioned. My biggest thing was welding. I competed in one contest. I didn't win, but I kept welding for many years afterward for a living. A few years after high school our FFA instructor asked me to come back and judge that same contest, it was an honor and a lot of fun. The only welding I do now is for myself. We had a good instructor. He is retired now, but I still run into him form time to time and we always speak. |
Posted By: Nathan (SD)
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 9:21am
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My son and daughter are both at the convention in Indianapolis. I was in FFA for 2 years. Our first advisor was a former state president. He ran a tight ship. My second year involved a fresh from college boy, that was limper than a wet noodle. He was so bad I dropped out of FFA a few weeks into my third year. The advisor my kids have now is going a good job. We live in a rural area, but very few kids live on a farm. It is tough for him to keep the numbers up. |
Posted By: Dale-OH
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 9:52am
| I am past Chapter president in 2005 our chapter had 140 members and 2 advisors, today they are over 200 and have added a third advisor. Like most above most of what I gained was communication and parliamentary procedure, im sure I picked up some different views on other topics too. My freshman year I had the same advisor that my dad had then retired, luckily he was replaced by a local who had been a student of his who kept the drive going. Our community is very lucky to have such a dedicated group of teachers that are willing to go the extra mile to push the kids to grow. |
Posted By: shameless dude
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 10:31am
| was a member wayyyyyyy back when. have several awards on livestock judging, and won a trip to an agricultural college for 2 weeks training on range and pasture management. still have my jacket in the upstairs closet, might fit Creston! seems to me back then, it was hands on, and now it's mostly hands on a mouse! |
Posted By: Travis2766
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 11:33am
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The advisor I had was great, very involved with the program and wanted to help move our chapter forward, he really cared about all of the kids. Unfortunately he retired last year and the new advisor is fresh out of college. She seems to try but has the same problem as everyone else (low numbers) because fewer kids come from a farm anymore. She has already informed the chapter members that the new focus is going to be more on the speaking and business part of FFA rather than on agriculture. My kids go to the same school as I did and it’s kind of sad seeing a program that was 70 kids strong in the mid 90’s to the current 15-20 members. ------------- 190XT Series III, D17 Series IV, D15 Series II, All Crop 66 and a whole mess of equipment. |
Posted By: DanC911
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 11:41am
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I sounds like FFA is much like the VICA program we had in Tech School. I think they call it SkillsUSA now. We competed in our trades, mine was electronics, as well as public speaking, parliamentary procedure, etc. much like FFA. I only got involved during my senior year because it was a way out of class and a couple of days at the State competition. Ironically, my event was held back at my school. I learned a lot in VICA but most importantly I learned that I may have wasted four years of trade school because electronics was not going to be where I wanted to spend my career. I came in dead last. I ended up leaving college after my first year and going to paramedic school which got me my current job as a firefighter. I cannot see a happy me sitting at a test bench for the past 27 years but the FD has been a great career. If I didn't compete in VICA I may not have known how little I really knew about my trade, how I really didn't enjoy it, and how far behind the rest of my peers I was. ------------- 1950 WD, 1955 B, 66 Jacobsen Chief-O-Matic, 68 Simplicity 2110, 77 IH Cub Cadet 1450 w/front loader |
Posted By: Bob-Maine
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 1:55pm
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I was not a members, but had an interesting conversation with my brother-in-law last week when we were visiting western NY. He was the winner of the NY State FFA tractor driving competition, around 1960 or so. He went to the national championship and they wanted him to drive a JD 1010. He refused the tractor as one brake was burned out, the pedal was hanging down and he didn't want to use it. So they let him pick a D-15 (they had a D-14 on the farm) and he won the national championship. Bob@allisdowneast. ------------- I used to think I was indecisive, but now I'm not sure. |
Posted By: Matt -mid-mich
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 2:58pm
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I was in FFA for 4 years enjoyed every it of it . I was the head of the ag feild all 4 years. did I the ag mechanics team at Msu and three years in a row won the competition I think the most vaulable thing I still use today especially sitting on a township board is parliamentary percedure and it's sad that most meetings today nobody know how to follow Roberts rules of order ------------- We have 86400 seconds to everyday make every second count because we never know when it's our last |
Posted By: KY
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 3:38pm
| I am an AG teacher and I'm here right now! I get to see first hand the positive influence FFA makes on young people. |
Posted By: DanC911
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 4:33pm
It would be great if you could post some pics from the floor ------------- 1950 WD, 1955 B, 66 Jacobsen Chief-O-Matic, 68 Simplicity 2110, 77 IH Cub Cadet 1450 w/front loader |
Posted By: Michael V (NM)
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 4:52pm
| I was in FFA for all 4 years,, even done some collegiate FFA.. first year I was on the state winning parliamentary pro team, all had to do judging,, you got to pick what 2 events you liked, but could do more, had to do at least 2. I was on state winning ag mech team, that got us a trip to the national convention, I believe that was the 50th aniversery year, was still in KC at the time.. |
Posted By: HaroldOmaha
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 5:10pm
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I was in FFA 1955-1959. Had a great instructor, When I went on to SUNY ag college he became a professor at the ag college. Wish I could go back and thank him for what he taught me. While in high school I tested milk for butterfat for some local farmers, traveled some with the local inseminator but decided against that as an occupation. Had a lot of business training as others have mentioned, lot of contests. Our instructor also arranged for us to have a basketball team to play other FFA clubs on Sunday afternoon. Still play at 77, hard to keep up with college kids, but I can still mess up there chance of making a basket. |
Posted By: JW in MO
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 5:38pm
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Great responses, I really like reading what all everybody has experienced. I guess I was lucky to have a great Vo Ag instructor that commanded respect. I'm 60 years old and to this day when I see him I still call him Mr. Shively and so does most everybody that went to school there. After retiring from teaching he went on to be a state representative. ------------- Maximum use of available resources! |
Posted By: Tim NH
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 5:44pm
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I was in the FFA from 71 to 74. Chapter President my senior year. We had a lot of good times at events, and did well. I went to the national convention in KC twice. I still have the coins. I was impressed w/ how national officers would talk w/ such clarity and conviction. We had a great teacher. I remember when we would go to events in his Chevy Blazer. He would smoke his Camel no filters, and we would all gag. ------------- 1950 WD 1959 D14 1955 WD45 1976 7000 B 207 |
Posted By: NickT(Ky)
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 8:21pm
| I was in FFA and an officer my senior year. So was my Dad and brothers. I learned a lot of leadership skills which I use today. The public speaking for a young shy farm boy from a family dairy farm was really beneficial. I am a supervisor at Ky. Utilities and farm the home place. My brother -n law was in my class and is now our state senator. He and my youngest brother owned and operated the largest fertilize and feed business in our area before C P S bought them out. My middle brother has a large row crop operation and serves as a director for Ky Farm Bureau. All of this accomplished from skills learned while in F F A and two great and supportive parents! |
Posted By: aaront
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 9:47pm
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I was in FFA from 87-91, dad was in FFA in the late 57-61 we both had fond memories. Dad was state winner in welding and on a 2nd place livestock judging team. I was never that good. I was on recording keeping team, land judging, welding team. I was also chapter reporter. I am lucky enough now to be teaching ag and being an FFA advisor. I have had sereral state winners in my 23 years and hoping for more. I teach at Apollo High School in Kentucky. |
Posted By: Loren-ia
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 10:00pm
| I was not in FFA, my dad didn't care for the advisor so it wasn't an option for me. It seemed like the guys who were in it always had a good time. My son is at the convention now, haven't heard much from him. he's out there with one of his best friends so I'm sure they are having a good time. |
Posted By: Ray54
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 10:11pm
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I did 4 years of FFA as many of you did,with a young adviser that was not the toughest teacher by a long ways in my day. Being 30 plus minute drive to school from the ranch my parents did not promote a lot off extra participation in school activities. The adviser moved out in the country and was our next door neighbor my senior year. In his first years he had better than 150 students to look after by himself. There where other to teach shop classes but he was alone in all the FFA stuff. Oh about the time I got out of school the road was up graded and you could make it in 20 minites or a little less. He was still teaching when my kids were in the FFA. I think my daughter was the only one to have him as a teacher because by then there where 3 FFA advisers. The daughter may of had him 2 years,and she always at home called him "mean and nasty" which we still refer to him as. But he had learned over 30 years and had seen a lot too,hard to slip something by him by her time. The daughters dis like came really came about in him giving homework on the first day of school in her senior year where she figured on coasting. After his retirement he moved to Montana to many citydots and wine snobs moving in. Didn't know it at the time but kind of the beginning of the end of the neighborhood only several other misfits like me left and we are the old folks. Sorry for drifting here but we have tradition to uphold on here of NEVER just sticking to topic of the title on here.
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Posted By: Sugarmaker
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2017 at 1:53am
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I was a FFA green hand for about 5 minutes in the mid 60's. Our advisor was big into tractor restorations or building himself another two engine tractor. I lasted a month or so and dropped out. I was very busy helping on my grandfathers, uncles and Dad's farm too. plus raising and training show horses. So I respect all who served. The advisors made all the difference. Some kids were looking for a easy class too. Now our local high school has a excellent program, great young advisor and they are doing lots of stuff, green house, Pumpkin walk, New Maple sugarhouse, raising and butchering chickens, small engine repair and tractor repairs too. The young members also help us with a annual Lake Erie Maple Expo, where they help us get 400 folks in the doors for one of the largest Maple syrup events and demos in the country! Very impressed with there skills during opening ceremonies and through out the event. Regards, Chris ------------- D17 1958 (NFE), WD45 1954 (NFE), WD 1952 (NFE), WD 1950 (WFE), Allis F-40 forklift, Allis CA, Allis D14, Ford Jubilee, Many IH Cub Cadets, 32 Ford Dump, 65 Comet. |
Posted By: P&KPossum
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2017 at 5:30pm
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Helped me immensely. I did 4 yrs of Agronomy, 4 yrs. Livestock Judging and 4 yrs. of Farm Shop Mechanics and Electrification. Held 4 offices in local chapter and also Bucks/Montgomery/Lehigh county officer. I was also a state officer. Could not go to National Convention -- too busy farming. Still use what I learned in FFA on farm today. |
Posted By: Bull
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2017 at 11:12pm
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I had a great advisor who taught life , not just curriculum. There were 25 to 30 in our chapter, 3 of us made state farmer our sr. year. I participated at the state level on dairy cattle judging, parliamentary procedure, and farm mechanics teams. I was honored to serve as secretary and vice-president. I attended the National Convention 4 years and was really impressed by the National officers. FFA was an important part of my life. A few years ago I was sorting through some things my Grandmother had saved and found Dad’s program from the 1938 National FFA Convention, and a ticket stub from the American Royal. ------------- WD45 Diesel, RC,CA,IB, B, G, 616, Early B-10, D-10, Terra Tiger, 95G spreader, SC blade |
Posted By: dbounds
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2017 at 8:28am
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I was a member from 1966 - 1970, 2 offices,6 contest teams, 1 state winner (agronomy) had a great advisor and became an ag teacher and taught 31 years in a small school 12 miles from home so I could continue farming and had the pleasure to work with hundreds of fine young men and women in one of the best organizations in the country. Got to teach over 90 second generation students. Upon retirement I worked as an ag recruiter for Northwest Missouri State University for 9 more years and attended 44 national FFA conventions in all. I truly have been blessed. Well back to the bean field. Doyle |