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Dinwiddie FFA students brief supervisors on agriculture, workforce and ag literacy
Summary
Members of the Dinwiddie High School FFA chapter presented to the Board of Supervisors about agricultural education, local farm statistics and industry challenges including labor, land loss and commodity prices.
Members of the Dinwiddie Future Farmers of America chapter addressed the board Feb. 18 to describe the chapter’s mission, activities and the role of agriculture in the county.
Students identified agriculture as “the science, art, or practice of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and livestock,” and said FFA focuses on leadership, personal growth and career success in the agricultural sector. Student speakers gave local statistics — citing USDA and county figures — including an estimate of roughly 350 farms and about 44,000 acres of cropland in Dinwiddie County, plus farm sales and expense figures mentioned in their presentation.
Students and advisors discussed current industry pressures: labor shortages, development-driven loss of farmland, falling commodity prices and crop-disease outbreaks such as avian influenza affecting poultry. They outlined chapter activities including a first-responder appreciation breakfast, kindergarten agriculture days, field trips to James River Equipment and career-preparation events. The supervisors praised the students’ presentations and emphasized the board’s support for agriculture.
Ending: Students asked for continued support and engagement from the county; board members thanked the chapter and said county staff and supervisors will continue to look for opportunities to support agriculture and ag-education programs.
