ST. PAUL – February 17-24 marked National FFA Week, and State Representative Marj Fogelman (R-Fulda) said she is always pleased to celebrate the accomplishments of our future agriculture leaders at the State Capitol.
“It is always fun to see hundreds of kids in blue jackets walking the Capitol hallways in St. Paul,” Fogelman said. “I always enjoy having our local chapters stop in for a visit, as the students are always polite, respectful, and engaged. Agriculture is so critical to our district, so I’m happy to take the opportunity to promote the FFA and the positive impacts it creates.”
Fogelman said there is an FFA chapter in nearly every school district in southwestern Minnesota. In all, there are 9,163 local chapters across the 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The FFA focuses on young people throughout agriculture and related industries, helping them to develop leadership and career skills, as well as nurturing an individual’s personal growth.
Fogelman said many of these students eventually pursue a career in agriculture, which is welcome news since ag is the foundation of Minnesota’s economy. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture indicates our state ranks No. 6 in the nation in agricultural production, with $26 billion in agricultural sales per year. Minnesota’s combined agriculture, food processing, and forestry industries contribute over 15 percent of Minnesota’s total economic activities and support over 10 percent of all jobs. The overall impacts of Minnesota’s agricultural production, processing, and forestry industries generate nearly $106 billion annually in total economic impacts and support 388,134 jobs.
“Agriculture can be a very rewarding career, and in our state it’s a very needed career,” Fogelman said. “I’d like to thank all of the instructors who promote the FFA in their districts, and the FFA students who will soon become our future leaders.”