The Future Farmers of America (FFA) week will be celebrated February 21 – 27.

LHS will participate in a spirit week to represent their FFA pride. Monday, February 23 is Boots, Belts and Buckles Day. Tuesday is Made in the USA Day. Wednesday students are asked to represent FFA’s colors in Blue and Gold Day. Thursday is Flannel Day. Friday is Camo Day.

“We hope to inspire adults and children alike by showing them the wide variety of activities and skills that agriculture has to offer,” said FFA President senior Kira Zimmerman.

Students do not have to be committed to the agriculture career path in order to participate in the FFA organization. There are multiple skills anyone can gain that can help with other careers paths, such as teaching, medicine, science, business and more.

Leading up to the FFA week, agriculture enthusiasts participated in an ice-cream making competition at the Francis Scott Key Mall in Frederick. Other activities will take place throughout the week including a cake and pie auction, building a giant ice cream sundae and a robotics demonstration.

“FFA week has been celebrated by the National FFA for as long as I can remember,” said Linganore’s FFA advisor Thomas Hawthorne. “During the week you gain leadership, responsibility, public speaking and teamwork skills.”

Hawthorne graduated from LHS in 1968 and participated in the FFA program then. He is now using the skills he acquired from FFA everyday in his teaching career.

The National FFA Organization’s mission is to make a positive difference of the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

“FFA is for everyone. You don’t need to live on a farm to show an interest in agriculture. Students don’t even need to pursue an agricultural career for that matter,” said Zimmerman.

In November 2014, FFA members participated in a nation-wide competition in Louisville, Kentucky. Over 40 teams and 64,000 students participated in this event. Vet Science members seniors Livia Schuller and Cristina Magnanelli and Linganore graduates Rachael Hockenbery and Kristin Williams placed fourth in the nation. The competition required students to demonstrate their knowledge in agricultural science and public speaking.