The FFA creed is a short statement summarizing the philosophical aims of a member of the National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, an agricultural organization for high school students in the United States as well as in other countries. New members of the organization are expected to memorize and recite this statement as part of their induction.
The FFA creed, as it currently stands, is as follows.
I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds - achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.
I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny.
I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturists to serve our own and the public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil.
I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining; in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so--for others as well as myself; in less need for charity and more of it when needed; in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends upon me.
I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.
I wrote this from memory; even almost ten years after I first committed it to memory, it's still floating around in there. Scary what indoctrination can do, isn't it?
The creed was originally written by E.M. Tiffany and was adopted as a general statement for all members at the 3rd national FFA convention in 1930.
The statement itself is largely an ode to hard work and an agrarian lifestyle; there isn't much political content in the document aside from the fourth paragraph's opening, which can be seen as a condemnation of welfare. Other than that, it's largely an endorsement of agriculture in general, which is appropriate considering the nature of the group.
First-year members of the National FFA Organization participate in a "creed speaking contest," which involves a recitation of the creed followed by a questioning session. The questions revolve around what the creed means literally, as well as what the words mean to the speaker on a personal level.