Florida FFA state officers report membership highs, urge continued state support for agricultural education

Florida FFA state officers told the Senate Committee on Agriculture that the organization is growing and that state support has expanded access for students.

Hope Storter, Florida FFA state president, said the organization nationally has more than 1,042,245 members and Florida now reports "more than 65,000" FFA members. Storter described FFA as part of a three-component agricultural education model — classroom instruction, supervised agricultural experience and the FFA organization — and highlighted career pathways and industry certifications offered in Florida schools.

Isabelle Jenkins, Florida FFA state secretary, told the committee that recurring state appropriations and support from Commissioner Wilton Simpson and legislative champions have helped bridge the gap between students enrolled in agricultural education and those who could access the three-component model at no cost. Jenkins and Storter cited participation numbers for events and programs: more than 5,820 attendees at the 90th Florida FFA State Convention and thousands participating in career development and leadership events.

The officers thanked the Legislature and invited committee members to visit local programs and the state convention to see students’ work.