The Future of Farming: A Conversation with Alma FFA teacher Lakan Brumley.
By: Ryanne Harper – Editor Seed & Sow Agricultural Lifestyle Magazine – Winter 2022. Click here to read more articles.
R: How long have you been teaching?
L: I am currently in the middle of my third year as a teacher. I began teaching in 2019 after graduating from Oklahoma State University with degrees in agricultural education and animal science. I was hired at Alma to start/re-start up the Alma Agricultural Education and FFA Chapter after it had been non-existent for several years.
R: What is FFA?
L: FFA is a leadership organization intertwined with Agricultural Education (CTE) courses at the high school level. Formally called the Future Farmers of America, it is now recognized as the National FFA Organization.
R: When was the program introduced in your school?
L: The Alma FFA Chapter previously existed at Alma High School 15-20 years ago, in 2019 the district decided to reintroduce the program to the district and the program and agricultural classes were offered beginning in the 2019-2020 school year.
R: What opportunities does FFA offer to kids?
L: FFA offers students the opportunity to grow as individuals and leaders and prepares them to achieve success in future careers beyond high school graduation. This includes a multitude of opportunities for community service, competitive public speaking events on agricultural topics, competitive contests that focus on an occupational area in the agriculture industry and a great deal of opportunities for leadership positions and conferences.
R: What types of events do the students participate in, and what are you most looking forward to in the year to come?
L: We have several Alma FFA members who exhibit livestock on the county and state level. FFA members at Alma participate in a variety of community events throughout the year and put a large emphasis on finding ways to serve and give back to our local community. We have several students who will be competing in competitive public speaking events in the spring of 2022 and a large group of members that will be attending leadership conferences and conventions in the upcoming spring as well. The Alma FFA Chapter Officer Team is elected at the end of each school year and leads/plans the chapter’s events for the next year during the summer months. Included in the events they plan are monthly Alma FFA Chapter meetings that strengthen relationships among our program’s members. I am excited for the growth we are experiencing in our program, the facilities that our district is working to build our students in order to expand the opportunities they have during their time in FFA, and I am looking forward to taking our students to the Arkansas State FFA Convention this spring in Hot Springs, AR. Like many things, the AR State FFA Convention has only occurred in a virtual setting since we restarted the program in 2019. This spring will be the first time Alma FFA members get to experience it in person.
R: As a teacher, what do you hope your kids get out of their time in FFA?
L: As a teacher/FFA advisor, I want my students to develop confidence in themselves, learn the value of community involvement/service, develop the skills that will lead them to achieve success in their future endeavors, and make connections and friendships that will last them beyond their time in high school.