Governor Mike Parson has proclaimed the week of February 16th to the 23rd as National FFA Week in Missouri. FFA, or the Future Farmers of America, is an organization devoted to promoting agricultural education in public schools.
In a ceremony at the state capitol today, Governor Parson, who raises cattle, emphasized the importance of agriculture for the Missouri Economy. He told the more than 80 FFA members that they were the future of the industry, and the future of the state.
"You are the ones that will carry the message, and you are the ones that will make a difference in the future of our state," Parson said.
In a speech introducing Governor Parson, FFA President Paxton Dahmer requested that the Governor push to add Agriculture to existing STEM education, making it STEAM. Governor Parson also called attention to the role of science and technology in agriculture, saying that innovations will need to be made in order to keep up with production demands.
To celebrate FFA week, Governor Parson rode a tractor from his mansion to city hall, honoring the tradition of FFA members driving their own tractors to their high schools.