We are proud to present the written text provided by Melissa Hinton and Justin Johnson, winners of the 2003 Florida Farm Bureau Youth Speech Contest. Their vision provides inspiration to us all.

I BELIEVE...

"I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds." When E. M. Tiffany wrote this first sentence of the FFA Creed, he knew that while being an agriculturist is not always easy, farmers have overcome previous struggles and will continue to do so in the future. Like E.M. Tiffany said, "Even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us through the struggles of former years."

Just think back a minute at all of the trying times farmers have had to endure in the past -- now think about how much easier it is with new technology and equipment, being able to produce more food on less land. While it may be difficult to begin farming, the future for young people in agriculture is as promising as ever due to help available for beginning agriculturalists, unique forms of farming specialty crops, and the growing possibilities of other jobs in agriculture.

When Steve Jones was trying to become a strawberry farmer, the cost of land, labor, and equipment kept adding up until he realized it would be impossible for him to begin farming on his own. However, Steve was able to find a local strawberry handler who was willing to take him on as a partner. Numerous people have realized the difficulties encountered when beginning an agricultural operation, so many partners have stepped forward to offer help. Between loans for beginning agriculturalists and new, innovative programs, such as Farm Bureau's Young Farmers and Ranchers program, young farmers are definitely getting a "leg up." For example, the Farm Service Agency makes two types of loans available to young farmers and ranchers who don't qualify for conventional loans - farm ownership loans and farm operating loans. Another opportunity helping young people get started in agriculture is an apprenticeship pioneered by Dan French in Minnesota. French allows young dairymen to come work on his farm and gain first-hand experience while building up a herd of their own. French's son was the first to experience this hands-on learning and building process and Dan says he has had tremendous success. With existing farmers and other organizations lending a helping hand, an optimistic outcome for young agriculturalists is more promising.

Joe Matthews, the youngest brother of an established family farm in Dade City has always desired to own a farm of his own. One of the ways he is trying to do this is by growing and harvesting wildflower seeds. Through encouragement from the University of Florida, Joe has been growing phlox which are sold to decorate highways, yards and gardens. Another reason why the future for young people in agriculture is so promising is because of the many specialty crops and markets that are being developed. Small scale, more intensive types of farms that produce more specialized crops are becoming more and more in demand. With our country growing so rapidly in diversity, there is an increasing demand for diversity in our crops as well. For example, napalitos, a Mexican specialty which is made from cactus leaves, is yet another crop and market that could be making its way into Florida agriculture due to the growing demand for cultural foods. With more possibilities on the horizon each day, there are countless ways to enter farming in more unique ways through specialized crops.

Every morning when Sally Mitchell wakes up and heads to her job, she doesn't put on overalls and a straw hat, but instead she puts on a starched white laboratory coat and heads to the lab where she helps make new advancements to help make the farmer's job easier. Probably the most obvious reason why the future for young people in agriculture is so bright is because it now expands so far beyond traditional farming. Now you don't just have to be the person who plants the seed, but you can be everyone from the person who genetically modifies the seed, to the person who promotes this rapidly growing industry to the public. With each day, a new discovery is made which opens up yet another opportunity in agriculture.

So, what is the future for young people in agriculture? The future is easier farming through advanced technology. It's going beyond the typical boundaries and stepping into new worlds of possibilities. It's farming from a laboratory to help develop a new crop to help feed our growing population. Agriculture is not an option--its essential! America needs agriculture to prosper, and we are the next in line to help it do so, therefore, I believe in the future of agriculture, especially for America's youth.

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On May 13, 2002, upon signing the Farm Bill, President Bush made these sound remarks:

"American farm and ranch families embody some of the best values of our nation, hard work and risk taking, love of the land, and love of the country. Farming is the first industry of America. The industry that feeds us, the industry that clothes us, and the industry that increasingly provides more of our energy. The success of American farmers and ranchers is essential to the success of the American economy."

Hello, my name is Justin Johnson. I echo the words of our president, and I believe that my future in agriculture is bright and full of opportunities.

I am a member of the Suwannee Middle School FFA Chapter. FFA and Farm Bureau share a lot of the same beliefs. Farm Bureau is the Voice of Agriculture, and FFA is building the future of agriculture. The FFA Creed is a basic statement of the meaning and spirit of FFA and agriculture. To me, the first paragraph of the FFA Creed exemplifies the future of agriculture for old and young people alike.

I believe in the future of agriculture with a faith born of not words but deeds--achievements won by past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we enjoy now have come to us through the struggle of former years.

Just imagine what it would be like without enough food to eat, a house to live in, or even clothes to wear. Seriously, most people do not even stop to think of where those things come from or that 24 people starve to death around the world every minute.

Agriculture is a vital part of Florida's heritage, economic foundation, and future potential. Florida farmers utilize a little more than 10 million of the state's 35 million acres to produce Florida's safe, affordable and abundant food supply. We are fortunate to live in one of America's leading agricultural states that produces a wide range of commodities. Florida's 44,000 farmers grow more than 280 different crops with cash receipts totaling more than $7 billion. Agriculture has an economic impact on our state estimated at more than $50 billion annually.

During the first half of the 20th century, agriculture was mostly limited to farming, and preparing for a career in agriculture was fairly easy. People did not think that a formal education was necessary for a farmer. However, today successful people who work in agriculture need a good education in business and in science. Over the years, the number of farmers in the United States has declined, yet agriculture remains a major source of jobs for Americans. Agricultural professionals are not just farmers and ranchers.

Opportunities in the agriculture field include areas as diverse as science, engineering, finance, marketing and exporting. Careers in these areas have expanded as the processing of food and fiber have become more specialized and technical. Successful producers rely heavily on the support of these workers. Individuals working agriculture today are as likely to work in the city as on the farm.

Agribusiness is an important part of the economy. More than 20 million workers are employed in processing, storing, and distributing the food and fiber produced by farmers. Agribusiness also involves manufacturing and selling farm supplies and equipment. Unlike agriculture of our grandparent's day, today's agriculture offers more than 200 rewarding and challenging careers. The continued success of agriculture depends on the support of this entire network of people which enable the producer to function more efficiently. It takes hard work to make American agriculture competitive in the world market.

According to a current issue of Farm Bureau News, food scientists and engineers will be in the greatest demand in the agricultural job market over the next several years. According to a Purdue University study, annual job openings for U.S. Food and Agricultural Science graduates ware projected to be around 58,000, while the number of graduates for those jobs will be slightly less than 57,000.

The future of agriculture will continue to be bright. If current predictions hold true, workers will need to become more efficient because the demand for food and other agricultural goods will continue to increase.

In closing, the last paragraph of the FFA Creed is a brief summary of my thoughts on the future of agriculture:

"I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life, and I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task."

My future--and yours--depend on agriculture!