IN FOCUS: How FFA is shaping the future of East Texas students

Yahoo

13-04-2025

TYLER, Texas (KETK) – In this edition of '', KETK's Nolan Hoffman spoke with Longview ISD's FFA Chapter about the impact that the organization is having for East Texas students.
Longview becomes largest FFA chapter in Texas, nation
Longview's FFA chapter made history in March when they were recognized as the largest FFA chapter in Texas and across the United States. Originally standing for Future Farmers of America, the FFA has expanded to offer students all kinds of opportunities beyond farming and raising animals.
'We offer an animal science pathway, a food science pathway, a horticulture pathway. We are adding an ag-business pathway,' Longview FFA advisor and ag teacher, Gail Coulter said. 'So anything from basic leadership skills to beekeeping, is what we look at. We have vet science, we have a meat processing facility. We have greenhouses and floral design. We cover all the bases in agriculture as much as possible.'
According to Longview ISD, their FFA chapter has grown to include 1,319 members. Coulter told Nolan about how excited she is that more and more students are getting access to all the opportunities that the FFA makes available.
'I feel like the kids have so many opportunities that it's amazing for these kids to have this. It's it's amazing to me,' Coulter said. I've been in the program teaching agriculture for many years, and it just makes my heart explode with excitement for these kids and the opportunities that it avails for them.'
Longview ISD FFA Chapter Vice President Brynn Woods explained that FFA has something for everyone no matter what career interests them.
Longview ISD FFA students, instructors discuss becoming largest chapter in U.S.
'There's speaking development events, leadership development events, career development events. There is something for everyone, as well as showing animals,' Woods said. 'I personally don't show any animals and I give speeches and I'm an area officer and a chapter officer, and that's typically where I spend most of my time in FFA. But I know many people who do show animals and they love it and that's great. I think that FFA is such a great organization because it is so inclusive of everyone.'
Woods and Longview FFA chapter reporter Trisha Dhana both talked about how the FFA helped bring them out of their shells by helping them learn social speaking skills.
'Whenever I first joined FFA back in eighth grade, I could not talk in front of people. I could not start a conversation, I could not I couldn't go up to someone and be like, hi, my name's Brynn, what's your name?,' Woods explained. 'But FFA has taught me through the years that I've been involved that I can talk to people. I can now give speeches in front of people. I can now openly have a discussion with people, and I've really just come out of my shell.'
Former Henderson FFA student makes school history
Dhana agreed by explaining how reciting the FFA Creed in class helped her become more social.
'Because of me doing Creed and talking in front of my peers, I had to say it in front of class to practice,' Dhana said. 'That really got me out of my shell and I was able to talk to more people, be more social and have open conversations where I'm not being shy about it.'
To learn more about all of their programs, visit the FFA Association online. To see the full episode of East Texas In Focus covering the FFA, watch the video at the top of this article.
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