Planting the Seeds of Impact: How FFA is Cultivating California’s Next Generation of Ag Leaders

The Ag Center had the privilege of attending California FFA’s Seeds of Impact campaign dinner in Visalia—an event dedicated to honoring the enduring legacy of John and Gail Kautz, two champions of agriculture and youth leadership. The evening wasn’t just a celebration; it was a powerful affirmation of what it means to invest in the future of our industry.

In a time when many young professionals are entering the workforce lacking essential soft skills—professionalism, communication, and personal accountability—FFA is producing a different kind of graduate. One who is not only prepared, but purpose-driven.

Bridging the Gap: What Employers Are Seeing

The numbers shared by Matt Patton at the event were staggering. Across the board, hiring managers and employers are seeing alarming trends:

• 70% of employers report poor communication skills among recent grads

• 71% observe a troubling sense of entitlement

• 53% struggle with basic interview skills like eye contact

• 19% have seen candidates bring a parent to an interview

  
  

These aren't just red flags—they’re symptoms of a wider issue: a disconnect between education and real-world readiness. In fact, 55% of hiring managers have had to terminate a recent college graduate due to unprofessionalism or communication challenges.

How FFA Is Changing the Narrative

Where traditional education systems often fall short, FFA rises to the challenge. Through agricultural education, career development events, public speaking competitions, and community service projects, FFA equips its members with both the technical knowledge and character skills that the workforce demands.

FFA students learn to:

• Communicate with clarity and confidence

• Accept and apply constructive criticism

• Resolve conflict with professionalism

• Show up—on time, appropriately dressed, and prepared

• Lead with humility, resilience, and purpose

At the Seeds of Impact dinner, it became abundantly clear that FFA isn’t just teaching agriculture—it’s cultivating leaders. The kind who understand the value of hard work, who know how to collaborate, and who carry a deep respect for the land and the people who work it.

A Model for Workforce Development

The challenges employers face today aren’t going away. If anything, they underscore the need to rethink how we prepare the next generation. The recommendations are clear:

• Incorporate soft skills training across curricula

• Provide real-world experience through internships and hands-on projects

• Align education with industry needs by partnering with employers

• Encourage mentorship and leadership development at every stage

FFA has been doing this for nearly a century—and they’ve never been more relevant.

Investing in the Future of Ag

Agriculture is one of the most demanding yet rewarding industries. It takes grit, vision, and values that are forged over time. Events like the Seeds of Impact campaign dinner remind us that the future of California agriculture depends on who we invest in today.

Supporting organizations like FFA isn’t just charity—it’s strategy. Because when we pour into our youth, we aren’t just supporting future farmers—we’re nurturing future CEOs, policymakers, educators, and innovators who will carry our industry forward.