Having a relationship with national organizations, like Future Farmers of America (FFA), is important for Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), an 1890 land-grant university, when promoting programs and increase enrollment from a pool of students poised to become leaders in the agricultural industry. PVAMU offers research and learning through formal education and outreach, which serves everyone today. With the resurging interest in agriculture, many urbanites are moving to rural areas to capitalize on agribusiness enterprises, on healthy eating, and on concerns over food security and food safety.  PVAMU’s College of Agriculture and Human Sciences (CAHS) knows students in FFA will evoke in a career path that cultivates and continues to drive the United States as a world leader in agriculture. As such, the CAHS hosts FFA programs to give prospective students a first-hand view of the university.

The Leadership Development Event is one of this biggest FFA event of the year. During the month of October, FFA students from over ten counties come to PVAMU to participate in the invitational to prepare them for state competition. The invitational is designed to challenge student’s leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills. Each event grooms the participants in quizzes to radio broadcasting. Faculty, students, and staff have a lasting institutional memory of what makes our campus conducive to the overall higher education experience furthering the ability to network and visualize themselves in the field while exploring the daunting questions: is this major a good fit for me or can I see myself doing this for life? To help with that spectrum the university’s USDA Liaison Officer, Horace Hodge,  moderated the ceremony and administrators, department head Dr. Kwaku Addo and interim dean Dr. James Palmer, gave remarks.

The stronger foothold Prairie View has in the community, the further we can implement the mission of our college and our illustrious institution. Change and impact do happen, but not without the support of dedicated individuals who are determined to make a difference in the world.

Raymond Thomas, Senior Agribusiness Major