Personal Narrative: Future Farmers Of America

The period between 1870 and 1900 was a time to change politics. The country was for once free from war and was united as one nation. However, as these decades passed by, the American farmer found it harder to live comfortably. Crops such as cotton and wheat, once the cash crop of agriculture, were selling at prices so low that it was nearly impossible for farmers to make a profit. Improvements in transportation allowed larger competitors to sell more easily and more cheaply, making it harder for American yeoman farmers to sell their crops. Finally, years of drought in the Midwest and the fall of business in the 1890s devastated the farming community. Most notably, the Populist Party arose to fight what farmers saw as the issues affecting

By the late 1800s, America was transitioning from an economy based on agriculture to one based on industry. Although this transformation made the United Stated richer and more powerful than it had ever been before, it caused farmers to face numerous problems to which they found themselves unable to successfully overcome. Even though many farmers moved into the industrial workforce, the ones who wished to continue agricultural work faced problems such as overproduction and tariff policies. Also, the farmers lost their political power due to the decreased focus on agriculture.

From the early beginnings of America to well into the nineteenth century, America has been dominantly an agricultural country. Farming and the country life have always been a great part of the American culture. Thomas Jefferson even expressed his gratitude for the farming class by saying

The Future Farmers of America (FFA) organization is one of the best ways that I believe I have taken advantage of education. Because of my involvement in the FFA I have traveled to a lot of different universities and have competed in competitions. The type of competitions I would never involved in are cooperative marketing and tree pruning. By being apart of these teams I have learned more about farming and marketing then I ever thought I would. The biggest learning experience I have had with this organization was when I attended the state conference in Fresno, which is where I learn about the entire agricultural community in California, leadership, and it is also where I had met the national president and secretary of the FFA organization.

Although I can't say I ever haven't feared using a cutting torch, it feels a fair amount more comfortable now as I roast zombies from the inside of the agriculture shop. The last zombie I hit falls to the ground, looking a bit like an oversized, overcooked french fry, and suddenly, I've decided I'm no longer hungry. Although, I've got to say, using the nail gun is a lot more fun, as it has a more rapid fire, and it just so happens to be that as I was evading the first wave to get into the shop, I had used that to nail a few to the wall as it was still under the awning. As for the agriculture shop, I had set up my base here as soon as I saw the last of my teachers turn, because with two old classrooms, an easily sealable office, a bathroom,

Throughout time, politics has evolved in response to a society’s needs. American farmers in the late 1800’s had problems of their own that lead to the radical politics of rural America. New technology, the high cost of freight trains and water, and growing cash crops lead to debt and losing land for many farmers: issues that eventually culminated in radical politics.

The California Future Farmers of America (FFA) is an organization “committed to the individual student, [by] providing a path to achievement in premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education (“National FFA Organization, 2016). These goals are the driving force behind the California FFA as they reveal their most important assets: people and relationships. The structure of the California FFA is extremely organized, operating like an efficient machine, the key components of this student-run organization are their complex combination of vertical and lateral structuring, as well as their philosophy to create a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their leadership skills.

The Future Farms of America or the FFA is the extracurricular activity that has affected me the most in my high school years and my life thus far. Many people may think that the FFA is only an organization of farms that go around judging cows and grow plants but we are much more than that. Through FFA, I have been able to come out of my comfort zone, take a leadership position, and learn to give back to the community. Meeting new people through all the competition the FFA does and working with members in my chapter caused me to make new friends who slowly help me out of my comfort zone. I even gave a speech in front of my whole about how FFA can cause anyone to step out of their comfort zones leaping out of the zone myself in that moment. As

What I found disappointing about the surveys provided was that there seem to be no means to verify the information collected. The questions asked in the survey were subjective. If I were to contact a church and ask if they offer outreach, the majority will say yes. When asked what type of outreach the answers would be similar. Do you offer services to youth? Yes, most churches have youth ministries. Do you offer any form of education based programs? This would fall under Sunday school and Bible Study, both staples in most churches. Do you have prison outreach? Again, churches offer this ministry, which typically amounts to several members going to a local prison and praying with prisoners. If the questions were more in-depth the survey

I was able to attend three church services at the Athens First United Methodist Church and gain insight on what it was like to be a weekly congregation member. While focusing on the members of the congregation and their mannerisms, the pastor and the way that the congregation was being addressed, and the overall routine of the service I was able to write-up the way that I felt and the things that I noticed while being present. I feel as if the Catholic and Methodist church are different and attending the mass was not something that I was used too. I was experiencing a different religion and church service. I felt like there was a sense of community at each service and I really liked the way that I personally felt welcome each time I went. I am not saying that the catholic church does not have a sense of community, maybe it is because Athens is a small town and members get to know each other very well or what but I felt a strong community vibe. I was able to focus in on the members specifically and the way that they interacted with one another and the pastor. Friendly, is the word that I would use to describe the members. Each person had a smile on their faces on entering and exiting the church. Reverend Robert McDowell did a wonderful job interacting and engaging with the congregation throughout the service. He wanted his people to listen and reflect on the words he was saying not just blankly listen to. Going to the Methodist church was an eye opening experience to me, realizing that going to church and being in college is not a bad thing. It takes up one hour of my time one day a week. This project made me realize the difference between religions and unfamiliar places and how it can be educational and exciting to

There had been a few events throughout my lifetime when I was little and had me feeling mentally most of the time since I was young. One of those that occurred when I was living in Stockton, Gang members would come up to me and try to convince me to join their gang and stuff I didn't really know that much of gang activity back then I mean i seen some gang getting in fights or doing drive by shooting down my street I didn't really like the violence. One time I got moved to this one School I didn't really like it to be honest I kept it real with some people that was cool with me all the rest I didn't like, there was a group of kids that was in a gang that me and my boys didn't like one time I went to the bathroom and all of them came in together and jumped me… That's when I started hanging out with my boys that gang bang because I knew they were going to be the only ones to get my back for me plus they were like family to me and one time we found them hanging out so me and my boys were ready to fight them so we did, It felt good getting them back for jumping me till my boys started coming up and started bring out weapons that's when I was like thinking I should stop hanging out with them because I can see myself later on going to jail for weapons charges, Drug possession, assault and battery.

Would you say that America is living an agricultural crisis? Today, food, health, and climate changes are some of the issues that concern most Americans. The interesting thing about them is that they all are related to agriculture. For years, Americans have not had a lucid concept of what farming is,or the importance of it, and as a result, most people do not have a clear understanding about what are the real benefits of local sustainable food as well as the consequences of supporting the current food system, the industrial food chain. Indeed, the current food system is “preventing” hunger, but the price that the environment and the world population have had to pay for it is too high. Health

I grew up in Dayton Ohio where drugs and crime is very high. I watched the people I grew up with thrown in prison or murdered. At a young age I was moved around many different foster homes because my father was in prison and so was my mother. I was always told I was never going to amount to anything but be another street thug that ends up dead or in prison just as my family and friends. With all odds stacked against my success I decided to take a stance and be different.

America — a land known for its ideals of freedom and new opportunities, a nation built under the idea that every man and women is created equal. However, the definition of what makes a person an American is entirely different from what it is that makes up America, itself. J.Hector St. John Crevecoeur, author of Letters from an American Farmer (1782), exposes what he believes makes an American. However, when compared to the standards of what makes an American in today’s world, it seems that becoming an American then was much simpler then, than it is today. The definition of an American is always evolving due to the influences of our changing nation. During a simpler time, Crevecoeur defined an American as someone of European

Agriculture was the most important economic activity in America from the founding of Virginia in 1607 to about 1890. Although farming declined rapidly in relative economic importance in the twentieth century, U.S. agriculture continued to be the most efficient and productive in the world. Its success rested on abundant fertile soil, a moderate climate, the ease of private land ownership, growing markets for farm produce at home and abroad, and the application of science and technology to farm operations.