More than 100 former officers of Future Farmers of America sent a joint letter this week to the organization’s CEO, raising concerns the group has made Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives a core focus at the expense of its mission to develop students into the country’s future agricultural leaders. “We have grown increasingly concerned that FFA has strayed from its core mission, rooted in traditional values and merit, and is adopting a top-down approach to instilling themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion among its membership as well as the suppression of officers’ religious freedom,” wrote the former officers, led by former FFA Vice President Laila Down, who served in the role from 2008-2009.
Among the concerning “observations” the coalition shared with CEO Scott Stump are an alleged increased focus on DEI in the organization’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, hiring for specific DEI positions, renaming DEI components to avoid public scrutiny, and allegedly reprimanding FFA officers for public expressions of their religious faith.
The officers, who delivered their letter to the CEO on Thursday, did not provide further clarification about the individual incidents.
“We respectfully urge you to reconsider this direction, which is grossly out of scope, and refocus FFA on its foundational mission: agriculture, leadership, and merit, without ideological frameworks,” the officers said in the letter, obtained by Just the News.
You can read the letter below:
National Future Farmers of America has also faced scrutiny from the House Ways & Means Committee over its alleged adoption of DEI practices and a partnership with the Chinese Communist Party-controlled Syngenta Group, raising questions about whether it is operating outside of its stated mission as a tax-exempt organization.
National FFA said earlier this week that it would fully cooperate with the congressional inquiry.
“The National FFA Organization is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that serves to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. While FFA accepts support from generous donors and sponsors throughout the agricultural and agri-business community, it does not and cannot advocate the views for any donor or sponsor. FFA has received a Congressional inquiry about one of our sponsors, and it intends to cooperate fully,” the organization said in a statement.
