Agriculture Leadership Activities

Agricultural leaders help an economy thrive.

Agriculture is the foundation of our country's progress and independence. Without successful agricultural leaders, our food, animals and even the natural world that surrounds us can fall victim to mismanagement. Teaching agricultural leadership activities not only helps the future leaders to be confident in their decisions but also secures our future as a strong and efficient environmental community.

Overcome Fears

Gather a group of future leaders, and plan an activity that challenges them as a team, such as white-water rafting or camping. The group will see it as a fun activity, but challenges will force them to work together and overcome fears. They will have to follow directions in order to succeed, and working as a team on activities such as handling large waves or setting up a tent will allow leadership skills to shine.

Leader Lunch

Hold a monthly lunch with already existing agricultural leaders, and invite aspiring leaders or others interested to join the lunch. By allowing the aspiring leaders access to the existing leaders, it will serve as a natural recruitment process, and the aspiring leaders will look to the existing leaders for encouragement and fellowship.

Caring Leadership

Assign a student or aspiring leader to guide and assist others in completing an agricultural task, such as caring for an animal or an agricultural mechanics operation. Do not allow the student leader to help the others complete the task; the leader should step in only when necessary. After the task is completed, have the student grade the other students and show them individually how a task can be completed more efficiently. Rotate the leadership role around the group so that everyone has an opportunity to guide the other students.

Public Outreach

Form a committee of aspiring agricultural leaders, and ask them to spearhead an agricultural fundraiser or sale such as a fruit sale, horse show or produce sale. Delegate each member to specific activities that interact with the public, such as customer service, sales and packaging. Rotate the committee members in their tasks throughout the day so that each one has the opportunity to work in a different area of the sale.

References

• National FFA Organization; Fun Turns Into Leadership Opportunity; Ken Parrott
• National FFA Organization; Officer Autonomy Empowers Chapter Leaders; Chris Stewart
• National FFA Organization; Using Student Leaders; Chad Epler