From STAFF REPORTS

TIFTON —  Webster County Future Farmers of America (FFA) members Andy Hanson, Charly Marshall, Noah Metheny, and Breona Cradic attended the second annual South Region Leadership Rally held at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture formally known as the Agrirama in Tifton. The South Region FFA Leadership Rally’s intention is to spark the interest of FFA members in the South Region and motivate member involvement in their local FFA Chapter for the coming school year.
By preparing for competitive in career development events, participating in local community service projects and leadership conferences and conventions FFA members get an edge on other students by starting the transition into becoming a servant leader.
While attending the South Region Leadership Rally members heard from speakers from Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College, University of Georgia – Tifton and the South Region State FFA Vice President, Courtney Barber. Students also experienced agriculture’s past through tour the Georgia Museum of Agriculture facilities. Students also rotated through over 10 different leadership activities lead by the Area 5, Area 6, and State FFA officers. Through these activities students learned communication, team working, and leadership skills that will be used in the home Webster County FFA chapter.
“The South Region Leadership Rally is a phenomenal experience for FFA members all across South Georgia to interact with each other as well as Area officers and a few of the State officers while gaining leadership skills that will not only Transform their experience in FFA but also their homes, communities and schools,” said Area 6 FFA President Shaina Flowers.
FFA advisors and agriculture teachers that were in attendance included Dawn Robinson. During the South Region Leadership Rally students also were able to compete in a variety of events that will help the students know what they would like to compete in during the upcoming school year. These career clustered events included: horticulture plant identification, animal science identification, global positioning system mapping course, agriculture mechanics identification, an opening and closing ceremonies contest (formal meeting procedures) and an advisor’s challenge.
Special thanks to the Georgia Peanut Commission, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Tift County Kiwanis Club, Georgia Forestry Commission, ABAC FFA, and UGA Tifton FFA.
FFA is a national organization of over 501,000 members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture and Georgia ranks third in the national in total FFA membership.
FFA is an integral part of the agricultural education program in public schools.  The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.