Riley and FFA

Riley is a great public speaker and just proved it by winning the FFA Creed Competition at the Region Level. She now goes on to compete in State in April. She had to memorize the creed and she recites it to the judges and then answers their questions about FFA. She looks so cute up there in her uniform that I think they can't resist--although she is very good at it!

Every time she practices for me I start to laugh because it is so NOT Riley. It is hard to believe someone is sincere when they say "I believe in the future of Agriculture," and they have on silver glitter eyeliner that matches their silver glitter Converse shoes! I'm proud of her for stepping outside her box and trying something new.

FFA Creed

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 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.