The Farmer’s Creed
“I believe in the future of agriculture.” Like countless other young men and women of rural Missouri, I grew up reciting these words as a member of my local FFA chapter. The FFA Creed has stayed with me to this day, inspiring me in good times and bad. This week, I proudly joined 700,000 past and present members of the FFA across the nation in celebrating National FFA Week, Feb. 22-29.
One of the largest youth organizations in America, the FFA actually began in Missouri. The first meeting of the group once known as the Future Farmers of America was held in Kansas City in 1928, with delegates from 18 states attending. The FFA Creed was adopted two years later, in 1930. Three years after that, the familiar blue corduroy jacket became the official dress of the FFA, and it remains an instantly recognizable symbol of FFA members to this day.
The FFA organization has grown dramatically over the years, and now boasts more than 8,600 local chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Missouri is home to 348 chapters, including nearly a dozen within my Senate district. Participation in FFA instills leadership skills and prepares young adults for success. Since 1969, young women have enjoyed equal footing in FFA and now hold approximately half the leadership positions in the nation. In 1988, “Future Farmers” became simply FFA and expanded its focus beyond agriculture.
Although the blue jacket instantly identifies a young person as a member of FFA, the most-telling indicator to me is the unbounded optimism of these bright, young students. As I interact with FFA members – whether here at the Capitol, or back home in my district – I am always impressed by their confidence and eagerness to face the future. These are young people on a mission, determined to meet the challenges ahead and persevere.
This attitude is firmly entrenched in the FFA Creed: “To live and work on a good farm . . . is pleasant as well as challenging,” the creed declares. “For I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny.”
This eyes-wide-open appreciation of all facets of an agricultural life will be needed as today’s FFA members began their careers during one of the most daunting farm economies in recent memory. While much of America has prospered, I believe farmers have suffered. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the overall economy has grown 30 percent since the 2008 recession. Meanwhile, America’s farm sector has weathered at least six periods of recession. From 2013 through 2017, net farm income declined 39 percent. More than half of Missouri farms reported losses in the 2017 Census of Agriculture.
Falling commodity prices, foreign tariffs and a tight credit market make it increasingly difficult for even skillfully managed farm operations to survive. Meanwhile, Missouri farmers have seen major flooding events during six of the past 10 years. The challenges have taken a devastating toll. According to the Farm Census, Missouri was home to nearly 111,000 farms in 1997. Twenty years later, the number of farms had fallen to just over 95,000.
Despite the grim outlook, the FFA students I encounter remain hopeful and eager to pursue careers in agriculture. The bright young men and women in the blue corduroy jackets are well aware of the challenges. They know that the obstacles before them are great. And yet, they face the future with courage. Their participation in FFA provides skills and character development, but it also helps instill a long view. They know that no matter how dark the clouds loom on the horizon, there are better days ahead. And so, they take their place in a long line of FFA members, looking to FFA alumni for guidance and inspiration. Together, we continue to enthusiastically declare the FFA Creed.
“I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds – achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways.”
It’s my honor to serve as your senator for the 16th District. If you have questions or need any assistance, please call my office at 573-751-5713 or log onto my webpage at https://www.senate.mo.gov/brown for more information.