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ISDA Director Bruce Kettler highlights importance of FFA week

National FFA Week kicks off tomorrow. Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler says it’s a great time to share the impact of FFA and agricultural education.

“FFA chapters might do a community service project for FFA week or they might take food to help shut-ins or the elderly,” he says. “When you look at the FFA motto, one of the lines is living to serve and I think that’s an appropriate line especially for FFA week to help FFA chapters celebrate that.”

He says FFA week highlights how members serve and give back to their communities.  

“This is one of those activities where they’re really promoting the fact that you have to support and be involved in your community…” he says. “FFA has had a strong tradition of encouraging young people to understand the importance of service not only for their FFA chapter but service in their community as well,” he says.

Kettler says FFA week is also a time to advocate for agricultural education.   

“I think it’s important for organizations like FFA to educate those young people to have an understanding of what modern agriculture is about and the importance and the impact economically and socially that farms and agribusinesses have in our communities and then be able to share that with others,” he says.

Kettler, who grew up in western Ohio, served as Ohio FFA president as well as vice president for the National FFA.  

National FFA Week runs through Feb. 29.

Audio: Bruce Kettler, Indiana State Department of Agriculture

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