Muskingum County to Recognize National FFA Week

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Vocational Education programs teach high school students an array of industrial trades that require more of a hands-on curriculum.

Six Students and the instructor of the West Muskingum FFA program visited the Muskingum County Commissioners to share the impact that the program has on the students as well as the mark it makes on the community.

“We wanted to talk to the commissioners about the importance of National FFA Week,” West Muskingum Agricultural Instructor and FFA Advisor Jeremy Ryan said. “National FFA Week has been around since the 1940s. It’s an opportunity for past FFA members to remember their time in FFA and also express to the community the importance that FFA brings. It’s not just about agriculture. It’s also about the leadership skills, the development of the individual.”  

Ryan emphasized to the commissioners the diversity of skills that the program teaches the students along with each of the students expressing how they have benefitted from their participation in the program.

“Stepping into 8th Grade year, my dad told me about his experiences in FFA and that really drove me to get into FFA,” West Muskingum FFA Chapter President Abby Crum said. “When I stepped in, Mr. Ryan, he’s been there for me all four years and so he’s definitely pushed me to do more and more and more, and then just try to achieve the best person that I can be. And It’s just been a great experience all four years and it’s just been one big family.” 

After listening to the students’ testimonies, the Commissioners signed a proclamation declaring that the county will recognize the week of February 16th through the 22nd as National FFA Week and light the exterior of the courthouse blue and yellow during the evenings in support.