By Haley Herzog

Texas is known nationally for being bigger and better than all the rest.

Bigger burgers. Bigger hair. Bigger hearts. And the biggest FFA organization in the United States.

“It’s Time” for the 90th annual Texas FFA State Convention, and a sea of blue and gold has flooded Fort Worth as more than 10,000 FFA members and their families take part in this week’s activities.

And cows, sows and plows aren’t required. That’s right. You don’t have to wear cowboy boots or be a farm kid to be a member of FFA. You just have to be motivated and inspired.

To most, FFA means family. It means being a part of an organization that connects you to students across the state and nation who are passionate about agriculture, leadership, science and so much more.

FFA is an organization unlike any other. Aside from agriculture, it provides much more to its members. Physically, mentally and academically.

It’s a place where pubic speakers, scientists, agricultural experts and hardworking men and women can develop their skills.

It’s a place where future agricultural leaders are built.

FFA teaches life skills necessary to become future doctors, lawyers, politicians, teachers and communicators. It’s an organization that leads its members into a world of endless possibilities.

FFA also provides the building blocks toward a healthy lifestyle. Members learn about food, where it comes from and how to keep it safe and environmentally friendly.

It’s also practicing your public speaking. It’s team work and competition. And servant leadership.

The FFA motto—“Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve”—embodies the spirit, determination and leadership of FFA students.

And this week, thousands of Texas’ finest agriculturalists will come together.

They will wear that blue corduroy jacket with pride and stand for something bigger than they are.

That’s Texas FFA. That’s the future of agriculture.

Click here to check out what’s happening at the 2018 Texas FFA Convention.

Haley Herzog is Texas Farm Bureau’s Communications intern. She is a recent graduate from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Communications and Journalism. She raises Brahman cattle with her family on their Central Texas ranch.