The Wisconsin FFA is celebrating its highest membership in 29 years. Executive Director Cheryl Zimmerman says the organization struggled in the 70s and 80s as youth was not interested in farming. Zimmerman credits the uptick to public school teachers who are developing curricula about farming and the organization spotlighting engineering and science careers that “tie into the important production of our food.”
The state organization is about 19,000 students strong with 255 chapters.
The FFA is meeting in Madison for a four-day annual convention. Today its Rally to Fight Hunger event involves 300 people packaging meals to help hungry Wisconsinites.