Governor Mike Kehoe has proclaimed February 21-28, 2026, as National FFA Week in Missouri, honoring the more than 27,000 Missouri FFA members who represent the future of the state’s top economic driver.

Kehoe, accompanied by Missouri FFA President Ivy Elwell, kicked off the day by driving a John Deere tractor from the Governor’s Mansion to the Capitol, in celebration of FFA’s longstanding tradition of students driving their tractors to school during National FFA Week. Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn drove a Case IH tractor and was joined by Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Commissioner Karla Eslinger, who lives on the family farm in Ozark County.

In 1928, 33 young men gathered at the Baltimore Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, to establish the National Future Farmers of America Organization (FFA). Nearly a century later, now officially known as the National FFA Organization, it has grown to include 9,235 chapters and 1,027,173 members nationwide. Missouri is home to 365 chapters and more than 27,000 members, ranking 11th nationally for membership.

Through agriculture education, members are encouraged to develop their own unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range of career pathways. FFA continues to help the next generation rise to meet the challenges of feeding a growing population while also reflecting the new opportunities and diversification of the industry.

You can view the Governor’s proclamation here.

Photo courtesy of the Office of Governor Mike Kehoe