Reciting the FFA Creed has become a rite of passage for members of the FFA. The five paragraphs represent the ideals of this great organization and speak to the spirit of American agriculture. Erwin Milton Tiffany wrote these famous words in the summer of 1928 and even though the words have shifted slightly throughout the years, the semantics remain the same. The future of American agriculture is bright because of the leaders that came before us and because of the leaders of tomorrow.
Three of our future leaders are pictured to the left: Felisha Hill, Jessica Shiffer, and Tatianna Englerth. Those three individuals competed at the area Creed Contest which is part of the Public Speaking Career Development Event which was held today at the Luzerne County Community College. Columbia-Montour A.V.T.S. students competed against members from the Central Columbia, Danville, Benton, and Northwest FFA Chapters. Jessica Shiffer placed third overall and will move on to the regional competition held at The Pennsylvania College of Technology in mid-April. Not only did all of the students have to recite the five paragraphs word-for-word with the same passion that E.M. Tiffany evoked almost a century ago, but they had to answer a series of questions relating to the Creed and their part in American agriculture. All of the participants in today's contest deserve a huge congratulations for doing their best in that not so small task!
The FFA Creed by E.M. Tiffany
"I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds - achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.
I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny.
I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturists to serve our own and the public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil.
I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining; in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so--for others as well as myself; in less need for charity and more of it when needed; in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends upon me.
I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task."
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Three of our future leaders are pictured to the left: Felisha Hill, Jessica Shiffer, and Tatianna Englerth. Those three individuals competed at the area Creed Contest which is part of the Public Speaking Career Development Event which was held today at the Luzerne County Community College. Columbia-Montour A.V.T.S. students competed against members from the Central Columbia, Danville, Benton, and Northwest FFA Chapters. Jessica Shiffer placed third overall and will move on to the regional competition held at The Pennsylvania College of Technology in mid-April. Not only did all of the students have to recite the five paragraphs word-for-word with the same passion that E.M. Tiffany evoked almost a century ago, but they had to answer a series of questions relating to the Creed and their part in American agriculture. All of the participants in today's contest deserve a huge congratulations for doing their best in that not so small task!
The FFA Creed by E.M. Tiffany
"I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds - achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.
I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny.
I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturists to serve our own and the public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil.
I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining; in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so--for others as well as myself; in less need for charity and more of it when needed; in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends upon me.
I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task."
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