INDIANAPOLIS – FFA students will have the opportunity to showcase some of the activities they do as members during National FFA Week, Feb. 21-28.

Events are planned for most days of the week, including Give FFA Day on Feb. 26, which is a day to raise money to support FFA and agricultural education on local, state and national levels, said Kristy Meyer, the organization’s communications manager.

“The National FFA board of directors designated the week-long tradition, which began in 1948, to recognize (President George) Washington’s legacy as an agriculturalist and farmer,” she told Farm World. “A group of young farmers founded FFA in 1928, and the organization has been influencing generations that agriculture is more than planting and harvesting – it involves science, business and more.”

The week includes SAE (supervised agricultural experience) Sunday on Feb. 22. The day gives members the chance to explain the learning experiences that each FFA student participates in, Meyer said. Feb. 23 is the Day of Service, when each chapter is encouraged to serve their local community, she noted. Feb 24 and 25 are Alumni Day and Adviser Appreciation Day, respectively.

“(Alumni Day) celebrates the role alumni and supporters play in the success of students and local chapters,” Meyer explained. “Adviser Appreciation Day is a chance for students and alumni to recognize the agriculture teachers who have made an impact on their lives.”

Feb. 27 is Wear Blue Day, when people are encouraged to show FFA pride by wearing blue, the color of the FFA jacket, she said.

“National FFA Week is a time when we showcase the collective impact of FFA nationwide,” Dr. Travis Park, National FFA adviser, said in a release. “Throughout FFA, we see our members stepping up as leaders, innovators and advocates for agriculture. We know this happens, thanks to the dedication of agricultural teachers, FFA alumni and supporters, and our many industry partners. (National FFA Week) is when we celebrate the collective agricultural education ecosystem.”

Last year, FFA raised more than $1.6 million on Give FFA Day, and this year, organization officials have set their sights even higher, hoping to raise $1.75 million through donations.

“Your gift, no matter the size, directly changes the life of a young person,” Kimberly Coveney, National FFA Foundation senior manager of individual giving, told Farm World. “You’re not just giving to an organization; you’re investing in leadership, agricultural literacy and the future of our food system and the world. If you’ve ever been inspired by the next generation, or if FFA played a role in your own story, Give FFA Day is the perfect moment to turn that inspiration into action.”

Donations on Give FFA Day help fund state conventions and scholarships, provide blue corduroy FFA jackets, support students traveling to leadership conferences and provide resources for teachers, she said.

FFA is offering those wanting to donate a new option – ChapterBoost. The program allows donors to give contributions directly to a specific project or need identified by a chapter, Coveney said. ChapterBoost was created because the organization often hears from donors who want to support FFA at the local level, but don’t always know where the needs are, she said.

“This platform bridges that gap by allowing chapters to submit specific projects such as purchasing classroom equipment or supplies, or funding student travel to FFA events, and making those needs visible to donors nationwide,” Coveney said.

“It gives chapters a structured way to share what would make the biggest difference for their students, and it gives donors reassurance that their gift is going to impact a student in the classroom.”

A donation can mean a lot to a student, she said.

“There is nothing more meaningful than seeing a student slip on their first blue jacket or attend a conference they never imagined they could afford,” Coveney said. “A contribution made in just a few seconds online becomes a memory that can shape a young person’s confidence, career path and sense of belonging. Knowing that a donor’s generosity opened that door makes the work incredibly fulfilling.”

For more information on FFA Week, visit www.ffa.org/national-ffa-week/.