Cordova FFA
Jan 3, 2025
Cordova FFA is an urban FFA chapter located in Rancho Cordova, CA. The FFA chapter is breaking barriers within Title I schools, giving students hands-on learning experiences through agricultural education. Chartered in 2011, this program has given students countless opportunities for leadership experience, personal growth, and career development. What sets this chapter apart is their unique experiences from being in an urban community. They take regular field trips to Soil Born Farms, a local non-profit organization that’s located across the street from Cordova High School. Here, they get firsthand experience in urban agriculture. It’s important for students to know where their food comes from, and where they can find locally grown produce.
This year, Cordova FFA got approved for a brand new greenhouse that can be used for members’ SAE projects and classroom learning. Some SAE’s, or Supervised Agricultural Experiences, seen at Cordova FFA include working at Soil Born Farms, designing produce posters for a local elementary school, and raising a variety of livestock. They also offer a range of internships to their capstone members at vet clinics, animal shelters, and Soil Born Farms.
The chapter offers many Career Development Events (CDE) and Leadership Development Events (LDE) for their members. For CDE’s they offer forestry, agronomy, and, as of this year, natural resources! In these competition teams, students get experience in real agricultural careers that they can pursue. In October, the Greenhand Opening/Closing competition team got first place in their section! This was a huge accomplishment for Cordova FFA and a stepping stone in the winning freshmen’s FFA journey. For LDE’s the chapter offers Creed, Job Interview, Prepared Public Speaking, and Impromptu. All of these events assist students in developing public speaking and leadership skills that will help them throughout their lives, no matter what career path they choose.