Urban FFA Members’ Sense of the Organizational Culture of the FFA

Involvement of urban agricultural education students in FFA activities and opportunities

“…Participation in the National FFA Organization is a crucial part of the three-component model of school-based agricultural education (SBAE), and active involvement allows individual members to engage in leadership development, personal growth, and career success (Talbert et al, 2022). For an organization that had spent much of its first 60 years focused on production agriculture in rural America, the expanded focus toward educating students in urban communities about agriculture has been met with a multitude of challenges (Elliott & Lambert, 2018;Esters & Bowen, 2005;Henry et al, 2014;Martin & Kitchel, 2014a;Martin & Kitchel, 2014b;Martin & Kitchel 2015;Phelps et al, 2012;Talbert & Larke, 1995). A significant difference between urban communities compared with rural communities is the cultural, language, and ethnic diversity of people who live in urban areas (Segaert, 2008).…”

“…Cultural and demographic differences between rural and urban communities in the United States have created barriers for students in urban areas to have similar SBAE experiences as those in rural areas (Elliott & Lambert, 2018;Lawrence et al, 2013). Historically, the National FFA Organization has been deeply rooted in the culture of rural America (Martin & Kitchel, 2014b;Phelps et al, 2012). However, today's urban demographics in the United States are 57.3% White and 42.7% Minority, while rural communities are significantly less diverse with 78.2% White and only 21.8% Minority (Cromartie, 2018).…”

“…However, today's urban demographics in the United States are 57.3% White and 42.7% Minority, while rural communities are significantly less diverse with 78.2% White and only 21.8% Minority (Cromartie, 2018). While some students from urban areas have gained valuable perspectives on what life is like in rural America (Martin & Kitchel, 2014b), FFA must continue to adapt to a more accurate representation of the communities it serves (Lawrence et al, 2013;Roberts et al, 2009).…”