Next week is recognized as National FFA Week.  GerriEide, the executive director with the South Dakota FFA Foundation says the celebrated week always falls on George Washington’s birthday.  Eide says FFA helps today’s youth develop leadership and communication skills, as well as practical career skills such as welding, animal husbandry, meat and livestock industries, horticulture, landscape, sales, and hundreds of other career opportunities.  Eide says FFA has been growing, and it has expanded into urban and suburban areas.  Eide says many employers and college professors recognize the value of an agricultural education.  She says FFA becomes even more relevant as consumers are wanting to know the orgin of their food.  Eide says many FFA chapters will recognize the week with special events such as banquets, lunches, and community awareness activities.