Illinois to cover FFA dues for ag students

Jun 22, 2022

This allows every student enrolled in ag to have an FFA membership

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

The Illinois government is making Future Farmers of America (FFA) memberships more accessible to students in the state.

The Department of Agriculture announced $550,000 in funding to cover FFA membership dues for every student taking agriculture education classes starting this fall.

This news couldn't come at a better time," Illinois FFA Executive Director Mindy Bunselmeyer said in a statement. "Illinois' number one industry touches so many beyond traditional family farms. FFA continues to expand its mission to prepare our Ag leaders for tomorrow.”

In 2022, about 37,000 Illinois students were enrolled in ag classes but only 23,000 students had FFA memberships.

A national FFA membership is $7, but states and local FFA chapters have the authority to charge higher prices.

In Ohio, for example, memberships are $17 per member. In Indiana the cost is $14 per member and at Buna High School in Texas, the cost of an FFA membership is $25 per year.

The $550,000 allocation divided by the number of students enrolled in Illinois ag classes equals an average of $14.86 per student.

Covering the FFA dues in Illinois ensures every student has an equal opportunity to be an FFA member, said Governor JB Pritzker.

"In Illinois, we're making it so students can choose their extracurriculars based on what interests them the most, not what they can afford," he said in a statement.

State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) spearheaded the funding idea.

Supporting youth in agriculture helps ensure a healthier and prosperous ag sector, she said.

"I am proud to support the next generation of Illinois agricultural enthusiasts by helping alleviate the financial burden of membership dues," she said. "The more bright minds we can bring in to help solve the agricultural problems of tomorrow, the better we all will be in the future."

Video: A Farm Song (Busy) | Parody of A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey

Lyrics:

My days begin with workin’, Alarm’s at 5 o’clock,
I Fill 5 gallon buckets, The feeders and the troughs,
This five to nine ain’t workin’, why the heck do I work so hard?,
I can’t worry ‘bout health problems, I can sleep in when I’m gone,

One, here comes the two to the three to the four,
Tell em’ ‘buy another cow, we need plenty more’,
Blue jeans are gettin’ dirty, what else could I ask for,
Oh my, more chores

Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history,
There’s another flock of sheep that still needs feed,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

I’ve been working pretty stressed but,
I ain’t changing for some cash,
Lord knows that I’m very blessed (More chores),
But I gotta say it’s hard,
Workin’ outside gettin’ charred,
Living out here on the farm, (more chores)

One, here comes the two to the three to the four,
Tell em’ ‘buy another cow, we need plenty more’,
Blue jeans are gettin’ dirty, what else could I ask for,
Oh my, more chores

Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history
There’s another 20 chickens that still need feed,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

Everybody on the farm getting’ busy,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

Fun, here on ranch that’s what you can’t ignore,
Might be pretty hard but I love it to its core,
Flannel’s gettin’ dirty, what else could I ask for,
Oh my, more chores (Tell ‘em sing with me)

Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history,
There’s another flock of sheep that still needs feed,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history,
Watching cattle in the dark, don’t miss me,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
(Yeeeeeehaw)
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
It’s the best bro, go get yourself a farm