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Show Members of the FFA Parliamentary Procedure Team Jody Davis, Todd Henrie, Mac Hatch, Korry Soper and Lawrence Orton traveled to Rlanding to compete in area contest where they placed third. Washington The Farmer George Washington Considered Agriculture Important: Is Honored By Future Farmers Of America Everyone knows that George Washington gave seven years of his life without pay to command the Revolutionary Army and eight more to serve as the new country's first president. What isn't so well known is that he would have been much happier "under his own vine and fig tree." By his own admission, George Washington's first interest was farming. It was because of his interest in farming and his accomplishments as a successful farmer that FFA WEEK is celebrated during the week of George Washington's birthday. In addition, George Washington has been labeled the patron saint of the organization and has come to symbolize the FFA Treasurer. Actually it was a small inheritance that launched Washington's career as a farmer; he was 1 1 when his father died. According to custom, Lawrence as the oldest son got most of the es-tate including Mt. Vernon. Washington's small inheritance was only a 280-acre Cherry Tree Farm plus a share of land at Deep Run. Washington started accumulating land with money he earned as a surveyor. At 16, George had bought 550 acres. Washington resigned his military commission when he was 26 and soon married Martha Cus-tis, a wealthy Virginia widow. At that time he owned about 5,000 acres of land which included Mt. Vernon's 2,500 acres inherited , from his brother Lawrence. Washington began to take farming seriously! He had a keen business mind, an eye for detail, and a searching curiosity about anything new, Washington divided his hugees-ate into five farms. Each farm's verseer made weekly reports "hich Washington used for his totes, diaries, and account books, le made exacting notes on planting, harvest, and sale a trait hat is recognized in the FFA. As early as 1766, Washington i oalized the error in continued obacco cultivation. He practically bandoned tobacco, the major plonial crop. Some have called Mt, Vernon one of the earliest "experiment stations" in America. It's true that Washington tried various manure and water applications under con-trolled conditions. He experimented with countless new seeds, fertilizers and management practices. Washington called the life of a farmer "most delectable." "It is honorable. It is amusing, and, with judicious management, it is profitable," he said. Perhaps his far-reaching vision and love of farm life are best expressed in his eighth address to Congress: "It will not be doubted that with reference either to individual, or National Welfare, Agriculture is of primary importance. In proportion as nations advance in population, and other circumstances of maturity, this truth becomes more apparent; and renders the cultivation of the soil more and more, an object of public patronage." Small engine repair class members Ken Dice, Don Nez and Terry Mitchell learn prin ciples of repair through actual hands on experience through FFA. |