Back in blue: FFA’s return to WSU Pullman reforges a tradition
Since 1930, the young leaders of Washington state’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) have held their annual state convention at Washington State University’s Pullman campus.
In 2020, that chain of tradition broke as safety became a priority during the height of an unexpected pandemic.
This year, around 2,500 FFA members donned their iconic blue jackets and excitedly returned to WSU Pullman, marking a new era of leadership and agricultural opportunity for Washington.
“Washington FFA Association considers the WSU campus in Pullman our second home,” said Washington State FFA Advisor Tamara Whitcomb. “The College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) is a training ground for agricultural education teachers in Washington state and is a stepping stone for our young leaders to develop knowledge and skills.”
For more than 90 years, Washington FFA held conventions and contests, forged friendships, and developed critical skills, with blue jackets inking trails on freeways, highways, and train tracks to coalesce in Pullman from all around the state.
“My first trip to WSU Pullman was in 1985 as a high school freshman and FFA member, and that sealed the deal for me,” said J.D. Baser, associate professor of agricultural education and a WSU alumnus. Baser is now one of two permanent Washington FFA board members. “It was so invigorating to have the state FFA convention back this year.”
The convention marked the first time on a college campus for many FFA members who were introduced by CAHNRS faculty and staff to diverse agricultural expertise, careers, and scientific disciplines from across WSU.
“FFA members and WSU students were immersed in opportunities and learned from experts in diverse fields,” said Anna Warner, the other permanent Washington FFA board member and an associate professor of agricultural education at WSU. “So many ag teachers in our state are Cougar alumni. They were thrilled to bring their FFA students here and introduce them to the area and the faculty and staff.”
The high school FFA members incorporated service projects to give back to the Pullman community, a new element in the convention lineup.
They volunteered at Pullman school gardens and food banks as well as the WSU Children’s Center, then capped their efforts with a large food donation to the Pullman Schools Pantry Program using funds they raised.
It’s this spirit of collaboration and service that underlines a partnership nearly a century in the making.
“Hosting the 94th Washington FFA Convention and Expo in Pullman truly serves Washington FFA members’ individual interests and stays true to our mission of developing the potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success,” said Whitcomb.