FFA students take on the Houston Rodeo

Do you ever wish you could learn how to care for farm animals? At Cypress Springs High School, there is a program called FFA. Future Farmers of America allows students to indulge in the feeling of leadership along with exploring careers in Agriculture. This program offers many opportunities to certain students with a love for animals and agriculture.
One of these opportunities is showing your animals and this year FFA scholars have showcased their skills at many livestock shows.
Seven students participated in the Houston Livestock and Rodeo this year. Danna Martinez, Samantha Reyes, Janelle Tate, Ricky and Henry Gorgua showed duroc pigs. While Leslie Rivas and Saadika Salauddin showed their Hampshire sheep. FFA students also competed in the HLSR Poultry Contest and as a group they sold Rodeo Programs for the Riley Green performance.





“FFA has been very helpful. I feel like it has taught me a lot of time management skills and a lot of responsibility along with hard work. I have also gained confidence from shows,” senior Leslie Rivas said.
Most students do not need prior knowledge or history of agriculture to join the program. As senior Danna Martinez, who is the president of the club explained she had no agriculture experience prior to joining the Cy Springs program. It is not uncommon for students with no history of agriculture to join this program, as it also exercises responsibility.
Spanning from duroc pigs to hampshire sheeps, these students visit their animals twice a day to tend to their responsibility of being in FFA. They been practicing and giving their animals proper care for months to make sure they are prepared for show.
These future leaders described how taking care of the animals motivated them and has built them as a person.
¨To know you are caring for something living, that you can give it a good life,it is an accomplishment,” Martinez said.
The process of applying is quite simple you purchase an animal at a livestock auction and then you get your animal verified.
Senior Ricky Gorgua said his favorite FFA memory was his very first showcasing his freshman year.


Although FFA is about learning independence, the kids in this program are united by their unique love for farm life. When you join, you are also becoming a member of something special along with other students learning how to become accountable. From Local auctions to State associations to a National organization, FFA promotes future literacy along with career growth for students across the country. The national FFA organization is a vital force in agricultural education, empowering young people to become leaders, developing their potential, and contributes to the future of agriculture.