Davids Visits Spring Hill FFA Program as Part of Farm Bill Tour, Highlights Agriculture Education Programs
SPRING HILL, KS – Today, Representative Sharice Davids visited Spring Hill High School's FFA program, a national educational program that encourages students to explore a broad range of agricultural career pathways from farming to biology, as part of her Farm Bill listening tour. Her tour will continue at farms, ranches, and businesses across the Third District as Davids prepares to consider the 2023 Farm Bill through her position on the House Agriculture Committee. Davids spoke with Kansas' future agriculture professionals and joined in on FFA activities, including working in the greenhouse and learning to show livestock.
"Kansas' economy depends on agriculture, but the workforce is getting older. We need to be investing in the next generation of agricultural professionals—from farmers to veterinarians to biologists," said Davids. "Meeting with FFA students at Spring Hill High today was a great opportunity to see how we can get students interested in and excited about the future of Kansas agriculture. I'm excited to take what I learned today, and in the other stops on my listening tour, back to Washington as we consider the 2023 Farm Bill."
"Our students are our future and programs like agricultural education, FFA, and 4-H provide students with the opportunity to foster a passion for the industry that serves our country and the world through its food supply," said Alicia Hampton, Spring Hill High School Agricultural Education teacher and FFA sponsor. "Every day, I get to see my students live out the words of the FFA Creed by demonstrating time and time again their commitment and passion for an industry that many consider lost in the past."
"The Spring Hill FFA Chapter has been a second family for me for the past four years that has instilled strong leadership and communication skills in me, allowed me to develop friendships with other FFA members from all over, and introduced me to future career opportunities," said Peyton Sherron, Spring Hill High School Senior and FFA President.
Spring Hill High School's FFA program was founded in 2001 and currently has over 80 members. Today, Davids, a member of the Congressional FFA Caucus, received a presentation from current Spring Hill FFA students on the various programs and activities available during the school day and after school.
After a tour of the on-site greenhouse, Davids was taught by current students how to appropriately show livestock. With more than half of American farmers expected to reach retirement age in the next 10 years, programs like FFA help introduce and prepare young people for careers in agriculture and other STEM fields. On her visit, Davids also discussed how the 2023 Farm Bill can support young and beginning farmers by improving access to capital and land, two major barriers to entry.
As part of her Farm Bill listening tour, Davids previously visited a poultry and meat farm in Anderson County, a co-op in Franklin County, a no-till farm in Miami County, an organic vegetable farm in Johnson County, and an educational community farm in Wyandotte County.
Last year, Davids hosted U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretaries Jennifer Lester Moffitt and Xochitl Torres Small for visits to the Third District to learn about the area's meatpacking and dairy industries, respectively. She was also named a Friend of the Farm Bureau by the Kansas Farm Bureau in 2022.