Important NC FFA COVID-19 Update

The North Carolina FFA Board of Directors met Tuesday, January 12 to determine the feasibility for in-person events this spring and summer.  The discussion began last fall and continued over the course of two board meetings to determine the most prudent course of action to ensure the health and safety of our students, teachers, and staff.

 

All career and leadership development events will be conducted online for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.  Per the direction of the NC FFA Board of Directors, the state staff team is meeting this week to determine the modifications and guidelines for all events.  As soon as event guidelines are finalized, we will communicate them via email and the NC FFA website.  

 

As a reminder, state-winning teams from 2019-2020 in Vet Science, Livestock Evaluation, and Poultry Evaluation will represent NC FFA in the National FFA CDEs this October.  State-winning teams/individuals from this year (2020-2021) from the remaining CDEs/LDEs will represent NC FFA in the National FFA CDEs/LDEs this October.  The NC FFA will not host a state land judging event for school year 2020-2021.

 

The Middle Grades Parliamentary Procedure LDE will be conducted this March as part of the Middle Grades Rally.  The state-winning team will be certified to participate in the National FFA Conduct of Chapter Meetings LDE this October.

 

The North Carolina FFA State Convention will transition to an online/virtual state convention in June 2021.  The committee report which outlines the rationale for this decision is available by clicking here.  As plans are finalized for this exciting online experience, they will be shared via email and the NC FFA website.

 

The North Carolina FFA Center at White Lake will remain closed for FFA groups and non-FFA groups through December 31, 2021.  The rationale provided for this decision mirrors the committee report for the state convention.  The ability to host a safe and meaningful camping experience while ensuring the health and safety of our members were the top considerations for this decision.  

 

I understand this news is disappointing.  These decisions were not easy decisions; however, they were made based on what we know and what we can do to ensure the health and safety of everyone.  What we can't provide in certainty, we can provide in clarity.  Knowing the plan will allow us all to be as prepared as possible.  Our state staff team and the state officer team are committed to planning and delivering events that will continue to fulfill our vision of growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture. 

 

We are hopeful that the vaccines being administered now, along with our continued diligence to act safely will move us to deliver in-person events and experiences next school year.  If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.  I'm glad to talk with you.  

 

Thank you for all you do for students and for being exemplary models of leadership for them.

 

Joshua Bledsoe
State Agricultural Education Leader
State FFA Advisor
North Carolina State University
Department of Agricultural & Human Sciences
4158 Broughton, Campus Box 7654
Raleigh, NC 27695-7654

Office: (919) 513-1205
Mobile: (984) 789-2431
joshua_bledsoe@ncsu.edu