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.
The creed was written by E. M. Tiffany,
and adopted at the 3rd National Convention of the FFA.
It was revised at the 38th Convention and the
63rd Convention.
