Fryeburg Academy Becomes the First FFA Chapter Member in Western Maine

LAURA S. AYER DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Fryeburg Academy is pleased to announce it has joined the National Future Farmers of America Organization (FFA) in an initiative to grow its agricultural programming. “After several months of research, it was important to me to bring FFA to Fryeburg because it will open up more opportunities for our students involved in agriculture education here,” says Jennifer Solter-Jones ’09, FA science instructor and school farm manager. “Whether it be through leadership development, new learning opportunities, or a chance to serve our community, this organization directly ties in with what we are trying to do with our program, so it is a natural fit to have our own chapter.”

Nationally, FFA is the largest student-run organization in the country, with over 850,823 FFA members aged 12-21, in 8,995 chapters and all 50 states, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “With that [reach] comes a wide variety of local and national opportunities,” continues Solter-Jones. “Opportunities to gain and practice leadership skills, learn more deeply a variety of aspects of agriculture, travel both within the state and nationally, attain scholarships, meet and make new friends, and make a difference in our community.”

Additionally, the Academy is one of the first schools in the area to start an FFA chapter. “ We plan to host state FFA officers for a leadership workshop later this year,” concludes Solter-Jones. “I look forward to working with students to find creative ways to support our local community and build our chapter membership and involvement in the coming year.