FFA numbers dropped during the pandemic but students eagerly returned once social distancing rules relaxed.

“When schools reopened the amount of kids coming to FFA events was something I’ve never seen,” said Jesse Taylor, Washington’s FFA Foundation executive director.

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“We did apple judging at the hort show in Kennewick and we had 50 high schools come and five kids per team,” he added.

In a typical year before 2020, about 15 teens would participate.

“There was this massive thirst for hands-on education,” Taylor said.

About 70,000 people will attend the 97th annual National FFA Convention & Expo Oct. 23-26 in Indianapolis, Ind., and there’s no doubt the organization is booming.

FFA is seeing general growth in membership and participation in the Pacific Northwest and California and that’s part of a national trend.

The surge has been sparked by pent up demand, increased recognition of career technical education and a worker shortage.

Regardless of the reasons, America will probably need a lot more blue corduroy jackets.

National figures

National FFA Organization membership is at an all-time high, surpassing 1 million students.

That’s up from about 700,200 in 2019 and a 68% jump from 610,000 in 2013.

No single region is responsible.

“Our top five states by the numbers are Florida, North Carolina, Utah, Texas and Kentucky, so we’ve seen increases nationwide,” said Kristy Meyer, National FFA Organization communications manager.

State growth

California hit highs with 105,000 students, 366 chapters and fundraising of $1.8 million in the 2023-24 school year, said Matt Patton, California Agricultural Teachers Association executive director.

Oregon FFA had roughly 15,500 students in 2023 and is expected to grow 2% this school year, said CEO Kjer Kizer.

Membership was actually down slightly but figures might be misleading as Oregon FFA increased the accuracy of its annual headcount.

Chapters are rising with 13 added in two years, bringing the total to 120. Oregon FFA consistently fundraises about $1 million annually.

Washington has record membership with nearly 15,000 students. Chapters have held steady at about 190 for the past decade.

Idaho had a record 6,450 members in 2023 and also hit a top mark with 101 chapters, said Janine Hodges, who serves as the state’s FFA advisor.

CTE courses

FFA advisors said CTE enrollment is increasing for high schools, community colleges and universities because students and parents understand high wage, hands-on jobs aren’t being filled.

Companies desperate for skilled employees view CTE students, including FFA members, as an untapped labor pool.

“It’s not just labor, it’s the technical skills to be able to perform at a high level,” Patton said.

Employers also appreciate the “soft” skills of FFA teens, such as leadership and teamwork.

“They want kids who show up on time, are respectful and reliable. They want kids with character,” Hodges said.

Fundraising rise

Ag companies are turning up to recruit at FFA events and showing support with sponsorships and donations and other resources, including industry members’ time.

Sponsors want to help growing organizations and see FFA’s positive trajectory, Taylor said.

Kizer said state FFA organizations also are becoming more savvy about securing grants, providing another fundraising boost.

Looking forward

Oregon will hire a new position in 2025 to help teacher retention and teach new chapter advisers how to recruit and keep members. Other states have had success with similar strategies.

FFA is recruiting more Hispanic students and groups that haven’t been well represented in the organization and that’s led to more members for Idaho and California chapters.

Meyer said in an email that FFA is a place where everyone can find a sense of belonging.

She expects gains to continue. “We believe this growth is sustainable,” Meyer added.