With so much noise in the news cycle, it can be easy to stay stuck in the negative. But this weekend was a reminder that the next generation of agriculture is still showing up with grit, joy, and community.
I watched a few 4-H kids ride their horses, cheer each other on, make new friends, and reconnect with old ones. Then I came home and saw social media fill up with posts tagged #SAESunday — students spotlighting the projects they’re building, the skills they’re learning, and the pride they’re taking in work that starts long before the show ring.
That timing makes sense. National FFA Week runs February 21 to 28, 2026, and many chapters get busy that first Saturday.
Why FFA week lands in late February
Every year during the last week of February, FFA chapters across the country celebrate the traditions and fellowship of FFA through National FFA Week. National FFA Week was established in 1948 and intentionally set to include George Washington’s birthday on February 22, honoring his legacy as an agriculturist and recognizing the role agricultural education plays in shaping future leaders.
For many chapters, it’s one of the most energized weeks of the year. Officers plan events and activities that are equal parts fun and meaningful — dress-up days, classroom outreach, staff breakfasts, community engagement, and ag literacy moments that invite the rest of the school to take a closer look at what agriculture really is.
SEA Sunday: The ‘behind the scenes’ work
If you’re seeing #SAESunday posts everywhere right now, you’re seeing the heart of what FFA does outside the classroom: Supervised Agricultural Experiences, or SAEs.
Those projects look different for every student, often including livestock, placement jobs, agribusiness, mechanics, crops, floral, research, but the common thread is responsibility. Feeding schedules, health checks, budgeting, recordkeeping, conditioning, showmanship, and the discipline to do it again tomorrow.
The Dolores, Colorado, chapter spotlighted junior Madison Thornbrugh’s Market Swine SAE and others on its page, highlighting the daily feeding, health checks, conditioning, budgeting, and recordkeeping that go into raising and exhibiting her hog.
Rockvale’s alumni group celebrated members’ SAEs, praising the early mornings, late nights, and real-world skills students are building through hands-on agricultural projects.
Former members like Emma on the Farm reflected on how FFA shaped their journeys. For Emma, that was through dairy judging, floriculture, and Discussion Meet. She credits the organization with building her confidence, leadership skills, and voice as an agricultural advocate.
A national day of service, and ‘Living to Serve’
FFA’s motto ends with a line that shows up in big ways this week: “living to serve.”
Many chapters use FFA Week as a springboard for service projects — food and coat drives, community cleanups, support for local shelters, notes for first responders, roadside trash pickups, and more. National FFA encourages chapters to take part in national days of service during February and report the impact of their projects.
In a year when the headlines can feel heavy, these moments are a reset. Watch what these kids are working on, then think about what that means for the future of agriculture.
»Related: Spring forward and serve with FFA community projects
Heidi Crnkovic, is the Associate Editor for AGDAILY. She is a New Mexico native with deep-seated roots in the Southwest and a passion for all things agriculture.
