Agriculture Leadership
What national organization provides leadership, personal growth, and career success opportunities for students interested in agriculture?
Future Farmers of America (FFA).
What is photosynthesis in plants (give a short definition)?
Photosynthesis: the process plants use to convert light energy, water, and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen.
What part of the plant is primarily responsible for absorbing water and nutrients?
Roots.
What is the term for a young cow, pig, and chicken (one-word answers each)?
Cow calf: calf; pig: piglet (or pig); chicken: chick (or pullet for young hen).
What do the three letters "FFA" originally stand for?
Future Farmers of America. (Today known simply as FFA.)
Name one officer position in a typical FFA chapter and briefly state a primary responsibility of that officer.
Examples: President — leads meetings and represents chapter; Secretary — keeps minutes and records.
Define "ecosystem." Give one example of an agricultural ecosystem.
Ecosystem: community of organisms plus their physical environment interacting as a system. Example: a cornfield and its soil microbes, insects, and processes.
Define "germination." What two environmental conditions are most critical to start germination?
Germination: the process where a seed begins to grow into a seedling; critical conditions: water (moisture) and appropriate temperature (and often oxygen).
What does "ruminant" mean and name one ruminant animal used in agriculture.
Ruminant: an animal with a multi-chambered stomach that ferments plant material (e.g., cow, sheep). Example: cow.
What is the official dress for FFA members during many events (name two elements)?
Official dress elements: blue corduroy jacket, white collared shirt, official FFA tie or scarf, black skirt/slacks, closed-toe shoes. (Two examples: blue jacket and white shirt.)
What is a parliamentary procedure and why is it important during chapter meetings?
Parliamentary procedure is a set of rules (e.g., Robert's Rules of Order) used to conduct meetings in an organized, fair way.
What is genetic selection (selective breeding) and how is it used in agriculture?
Genetic selection/selective breeding: choosing parents with desirable traits to produce offspring with improved characteristics (e.g., higher yield, disease resistance).
What is transpiration and how does it affect plant water movement?
Transpiration: evaporation of water from plant leaves that creates a negative pressure pulling water up from roots through xylem.
Explain the purpose of vaccination in herd health management.
Vaccination stimulates an immune response to protect animals from specific diseases, reducing illness and herd outbreaks.
What is the FFA motto? (Give the motto or its main idea.)
FFA motto: "Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve."
Describe one component of an effective agricultural career portfolio (S.A.E. or record book).
Example component: records of SAE projects, resume, awards, skills learned, financial summaries.
Explain how soil microorganisms contribute to plant nutrient availability.
Soil microorganisms decompose organic matter, mineralize nutrients (e.g., convert organic N to inorganic forms), and help make nutrients available to plant roots.
Explain the difference between monocot and dicot leaves (one clear distinguishing feature).
Monocot leaves usually have parallel veins; dicot leaves usually have a branched (net-like) venation pattern.
Define feed conversion ratio and explain why it matters in livestock production.
Feed conversion ratio (FCR) = feed consumed weight gained weight gained feed consumed; lower FCR means more efficient production and lower feed costs.
Name one of the FFA Career Development Event (CDE) categories and give a brief description of its focus.
Example CDE: Agronomy — tests crop science knowledge and practical skills; Agricultural Sales — focuses on selling agricultural products and communication.
Explain the STAR (Supervised Agricultural Experience) program and give an example of a STAR project related to agribusiness.
STAR: recognition program for outstanding SAE projects; example: starting and managing an on‑farm seed sales business (agribusiness STAR).
Describe the process of nitrogen fixation and identify one group of organisms that perform it.
Nitrogen fixation: conversion of atmospheric N2N2 into forms usable by plants (e.g., ammonia); performed by certain bacteria such as Rhizobium in legume root nodules.
Describe how crop rotation can improve soil fertility and reduce pests; provide a simple two-year rotation example.
Crop rotation: alternating crops to reduce pest/disease cycles and replenish soil nutrients. Example: Year 1 — corn (heavy nitrogen feeder); Year 2 — soybeans (legume that adds nitrogen).
Describe one ethical consideration in animal handling and one best practice to address it.
Ethical consideration: humane handling to reduce stress and injury. Best practice: use low-stress handling techniques and proper facilities.
Explain how earning an FFA degree (e.g., Greenhand, Chapter, State) can benefit a student's future education or career plans.
Earning degrees demonstrates leadership, SAE completion, and involvement; benefits include scholarship eligibility, résumé building, and college/career readiness.