How Agriculture Organizations got it all RIGHT

Recently, a blog was posted bashing the National FFA and the code of ethics the organization runs by. To say the article got it all wrong would be an understatement. Being apart of the FFA for all four years of high school was one of the best things. Not only did I get to meet some very awesome people but I also got to develop myself as a professional in a career that I enjoy. After graduating I knew that leaving the industry and such an amazing organization would be hard so I declared my major as Agriculture Education and joined another amazing organization, Sigma Alpha. Sigma Alpha is a professional sorority that promotes its members in all facets of agriculture. Though I am not an active member of the FFA, I will always uphold the ideals of an FFA member. Sigma Alpha has been my home away from the FFA and I would say that they go hand in hand, here is how.

Friends who always have your back

Friends who always are there for you are the friends you should keep around. All the friends I have made through Sigma Alpha and the FFA have been wonderful but the best part, sharing a passion for agriculture. Sure anyone can be a true friend but not anyone would stay up late hours fitting calves with you or planning a hog show in the late hours of the night. These friends have helped me grow as an agriculturist and I couldn’t thank them enough.

Oh, the places you will go

Whether it be to Indianapolis, Indiana or St. Louis Missouri these organizations always have me traveling. Before joining the FFA I had only been to a few other states. Now, I have flown on my first plane with my Sigma Alpha sisters and have traveled to over 7 states. While in the different states we were just visiting but learning about the agriculture in each state.

And the people you will meet

Through both organizations I have been honored to meet such wonderful agriculturists. Attending many conventions I have got to speak with representatives at places like Monsanto and Bayer Crop Science about internships and possible job opportunities I could possibly have in the future. I have got to meet people like Zippy Duvall, Nathan Deal, and my personal favorite Gary Black, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture. Being apart of the organization I have been able to meet these people and make an impression so that one day I can be in their shoes as well.

Educational Opportunities

In the FFA my SAE, supervised agricultural experience, was agriculture education. With this I got to create my own lesson plans and go into the classroom and talk to students about all different aspects of agriculture. Now as a Sigma Alpha sister we get to do the same thing. Sigma Alpha’s national Philanthropy is agriculture in the classroom. We visit schools all over Tift county and talk to students about agriculture. This is important because many students don’t know where there food is coming from and they are the future of agriculture.

Working hands on with Livestock

PETA swears that raising livestock for slaughter is the worst thing anyone could do. Coming from someone who showed livestock all through high school I know that is an incorrect statement. Because of the opportunities I was given through the FFA with showing livestock I am better educated on how to raise livestock for production, I am more responsible, and if one day I do become a production farmer I know who to feed the world without abusing animals to do it. Sigma Alpha has also given me the opportunity to educated the public by working hands on with agriculture and visiting farms to see exactly how different farms are ran.

I am UDDERLY in love with these organizations  

I could go on and on about how great both organizations are but until you actually experience yourself, you will never understand. If you aren’t involved with an agricultural organization I encourage you to. This will allow you to gain the knowledge you need to truly understand what is being said about the agriculture industry. With social media on the rise, the farmer is always going to be the target. Unfortunately, the farmers voice is unheard. It is our job to advocate for them and to educate the public on how much of an impact that agriculture has on your day to do life. Let your voices shine!

 

 

What Sorority Should You have Rushed?

As I lay in bed after a long day, like any other typical sorority girl, I scroll through Twitter, Facebook, and of course Instagram all before falling asleep. I am constantly finding myself on TSM’s blog pages reading posts like “Top 10 Sororities to Rush in 2016” or “What Sorority You Really Should Have Rushed?” Tonight, instead of closing the article and going on with my scrolling I found myself smiling, almost giggling at my phone.

After spending the past two days in a show barn at my college’s different livestock shows hosted this weekend I realized being in the agriculture industry the word “Sorority” doesn’t sit very well with people. Growing up in the FFA and now being an active member in other agricultural organizations such as the Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers I never would have pictured myself joining a sorority. That was until I was introduced to Sigma Alpha.

Sigma Alpha is a professional agricultural sorority that promotes women pursing careers in the agriculture industry. Sigma Alpha’s national philanthropy is Agriculture in the Classroom. Sigma Alpha has helped me connect with other girls who want to further not only themselves but also a society as a whole through their passion for agriculture. I now have a group of sisters who will sit with me for 8 hours planning a hog show that hasn’t even been approved by the executive board members, or painting cow shirts for our next agriculture in the classroom event.

So, I find my self here laughing at my phone and thinking: No, my sorority will never be the “Top Sorority to Rush” in any year and my sorority will always be the only sorority I should have rushed no matter what TSM’s quizzes say. Not every sorority is the right sorority for everyone. As rush week comes up for most schools here in the south I encourage everyone to consider a sorority that’s right for them not what sorority everyone else is rushing. Happy rushing!