U.S. Environmental Protection Agency acting administrator Andrew Wheeler signed a first-time memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National FFA Organization to advance educational outreach for EPA’s ongoing environmental and public health initiatives.

“Today’s MOU will expand EPA’s environmental education programs to an important and diverse new audience: the National FFA Organization’s 670,000 student members,” Wheeler said. “The MOU reflects the importance of agricultural practices in promoting environmental stewardship and builds on our recent collaborations with America’s farmers and ranchers.”

According to the MOU, EPA intends to coordinate with FFA on EPA internship opportunities and other opportunities that will help FFA members pursue careers within today's various environmental fields, particularly those relevant to agriculture. EPA also plans to recognize, through the agency’s Office of Environmental Education, the important role FFA plays in school-based education, especially for environmental education and learning, as it carries out its statuary programs. EPA said it also plans to enhance collaboration among regional agriculture advisors, regional environmental education coordinators, local FFA chapters and state FFA associations.

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The National FFA intends to work with EPA and others to attract, educate, inspire and prepare students for careers and opportunities within today’s various environmental fields. The organization also established under the MOU that it will collaborate with EPA to extend the reach, access and efficiency of efforts to educate and inform young people of environmental issues and opportunities. FFA also plans to provide feedback to EPA relative to implementation of federal programs for training, resource, guidance and other related purposes.

The MOU establishes that FFA will work with EPA to provide at least one opportunity -- but, ideally, multiple opportunities -- for EPA regional officials and others to meet with student and adult leaders of FFA to share messages and obtain feedback. Another goal includes fostering communications between the agricultural education community and EPA to distribute programming, resources and other information as applicable.

"This agreement between FFA and EPA recognizes how FFA members are ready to be leaders in environmental fields," National FFA president Luke O'Leary said. "Whether it's studying pH levels in soil or running experiments to reduce water runoff, we're active stewards in preserving and enhancing the resources needed to grow our food."

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In a statement, EPA said it will continue to work with FFA to ensure that environmental education is learned and practiced by all Americans to achieve EPA's mission of protecting human health and the environment.

The National FFA organization is made up of more than 670,000 student members as part of local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Washington, D.C. Its mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.