Exploring Future Farmers of America and other Career Clubs

Feb 3, 2025, 09:01 by Kathryn Hodgins

Discover how our career clubs, including Future Farmers of America, help students grow as leaders, gain hands-on experience, and prepare for future jobs.

By: Kathryn Hodgins, Content and Public Relations Specialist, Florida Virtual School

Exploring Future Farmers of America and other Career Clubs at Florida Virtual School

Future Farmers of America (FFA) is just one of more than 80 Florida Virtual School (FLVS) clubs that allow students to explore their passion for agriculture and come together to learn, grow, and lead. Whether students are interested in animal science, horticulture, or agribusiness, the FFA club offers many opportunities for students to get their hands dirty (literally!) and gain invaluable skills.

Preparing for future success

Isabelle Jenkins was a delegate to the 2024 National FFA Convention and placed sixth in the Agriscience Fair at Nationals.

The FFA club is all about fostering leadership, personal growth, and career success. Plus, it's a fantastic way for students to connect with like-minded peers who share their enthusiasm for agriculture.

"I enjoy FFA because it is a club that embraces people from all walks of life and with all interests," said Isabell Jenkins, FLVS FFA chapter president and 12th grade student. "Just like agriculture, it's a wide field that requires many talents and lets everyone feel important and seen."

During CTE Month this February, the FFA Club is eagerly waiting to highlight their hard work in the state finals at the Florida State Fair starting on Feb. 7. The FLVS FFA team will participate in the Livestock Evaluation, where they’ll work to rank breeding and market classes of beef, sheep, and swine. Then, they’ll defend their decisions in front of a panel of judges.

The FFA Club will also participate in the Horse Judging category, where students evaluate and rank horses based on breed characteristics, conformation, and performance. They must also defend their decisions in front of a panel of judges.

The Nursery/Landscape team in the FFA Club will also participate in their state competition on March 12, where students will be tested on how to maintain landscape plants and related products, evaluate equipment and services, and perform landscape design.

"The best part about being in FFA has to be a tie between the competition and the people," said Jenkins. "I fell in love with the competition of aquaculture, and it is incredible to be rewarded for my efforts by being able to compete in a facility like the University of Florida Aquaculture Lab where I can see firsthand how the industry works."

Exploring other Career and Technical Student Organizations

Alt text goes here — The FLVS FFA Agribusiness Management team placed seventh in the state competition last year

But wait, there's more! FLVS offers a variety of Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs), which are clubs that cater to a wide range of interests and career aspirations. Let's take a quick look at these career-ready clubs:

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA): If students are interested in a career in business, finance, or entrepreneurship, FBLA is the place to be. This club prepares students for real-world professional experiences and provides leadership skills, network opportunities with professionals, community service experiences, scholarships and competitions in business-related events.

Florida Future Educators of America (FFEA): If you’re a student interested in inspiring the next generation, then a career in education might be the best choice! Explore the traditional and unique career opportunities in the world of education.

Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA): Aspiring healthcare professionals, this one's for you! HOSA offers a platform to explore careers in the medical field, participate in health-related competitions, and gain insights from industry experts. The club also helps students develop leadership and technical health skills.

Technology Student Association (TSA): TSA focuses on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and offers students the chance to engage in exciting projects, competitions, and leadership activities. Competitive categories include flight endurance, technology problem-solving, data science and analytics, music production, software development, and video game design, among others.

The benefits of joining a CTSO

Joining a CTSO is more than just an extracurricular activity—it's a gateway for students’ future careers. These clubs provide a supportive environment where students can develop essential skills, gain practical experience, and build a network of peers and mentors. Plus, they look great on college applications and resumes.

Whether students are planting the seeds of their agricultural dreams with the FFA club or exploring the vast world of business, healthcare, or technology through other CTSO clubs, FLVS has something for everyone.

Ready to join the fun? Check out our Clubs and Activities webpage for more information on how to get started with these clubs.

Throughout February, FLVS is celebrating CTE Month with virtual workshops focused on must-have career skills, such as resume writing, interview skills, and personal finance – all leading up to our virtual Career Fair and Expo on Feb. 27 from noon until 4 p.m. Students can meet with industry professionals, explore career paths, and start shaping their future. To learn more about the career workshops and Career Fair and Expo, visit our CTE Month webpage.

About the Author: Katie Hodgins brings her wealth of experience and passion to the FLVS team, assuming the role of Content and Public Relations Specialist. A military veteran and lifelong learner, Katie enjoys communicating unique and innovative stories about people, places, and opportunities to inspire and engage the next generation. Having traveled throughout the world, she is excited to plant roots here in Florida and with Florida Virtual School.