AVMA expands relationship with student-geared agricultural organization

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With the goal of encouraging more students with rural backgrounds to consider veterinary medicine as a career, the AVMA Executive Board has approved an expanded relationship with the National FFA Organization.

The National FFA is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.

Currently, the AVMA participates in the National FFA convention as an exhibitor in the career show. Also, for the past two years, representatives from the AVMA have conducted two one-hour workshops on career opportunities in veterinary medicine with several hundred students in attendance.

The board approved funding an additional $17,000 annually beginning this year, $2,000 of which is in the 2007 budget. The Council on Communications put forward the recommendation.

Increased funding would allow the AVMA to expand its booth space at the convention, increase its visibility, and potentially invite constituent groups to join the Association in staffing the booth and distributing their association materials.

The expanded relationship would also include opportunities to participate in the National Agricultural Education In-Service meeting, National Association of Agricultural Educators convention, and National FFA Collegiate Scholarship Program.

An expanded relationship with the organization could reach more than 490,000 students enrolled in agriculture education and the 12,000 teachers and advisers who influence them, according to the council.