Objectives
In this learning session, you will:

Learn how to market your program.
Develop and implement student recruitment and retention activities.
Learn to communicate with prospective students.
Examine how to develop a public relations program.
Discuss how to sell your program to administrators.
Outline newspaper articles pertaining to the chapter.

Agricultural educators are expected to recruit and retain students and to market their programs. They must plan and develop specific activities to accomplish these program tasks. They must also keep in mind that there are proper and effective ways to communicate with potential students, administration, and the general public. Newspaper articles, open houses, tours for elementary students are just a few examples of ways to promote your agricultural education program.

As a high school teacher, an effecttive method to recruit new students is to visit the middle school science classes during the pre-registration period. I would take a team of FFA members with me. I asked these FFA members to dress in clothing that would represent their most favorite thing to do outside the FFA. Some would be dressed as football players, cheerleaders, skateboaders, surfers, quiz bowl wizards and etc. I would also make sure the group represented the diversity of races and cultures in the community. This marketing technique always resulted in a great group of diverse students in the agricultural education program.

Marketing your program.

• Look at the all the materials available on the National FFA website for marketing the FFA program. Look especially at the LPS Marketing Guide.
• Check out the Local Program Resource Guide for resources and strategies for improving marketing and recruitment of the FFA program.
• The FFA Guide to Recruitment and Retention is an excellent source for many ideas in marketing and recruiting. Look for tips on how to communicate with prospective students and administrators.

Developing student recruitment and retention activities.

• Recruitment and retention of students and clients concern both teachers and agents. This lesson will provide learners with effective recruitment and retention strategies. This first assignment focuses on recruiting for high school agriculture programs. The Purdue Horatio/Alger Study documents the FFA edge. There are PowerPoint presentations located here that can be used for recruitment purposes.
• Recruitment plays an essential role in the National Chapter Award program sponsored by the National FFA Organization. Visit the National Chapter site to find how you could participate. Also, gather ideas for your own program. Please click on each National Chapter related link.

Communicating with prospective students.

• Survey, inform parents and these prospective students about your ffa program. visit with prospective students. Some of the links found here on the National FFA website might be of use.
  

Developing a public relations program.

• Check out new public relations ideas from the National FFA.
  

Selling your program to administrators.

•  Some of the links found here on the National FFA website might be of use when trying to sell your program to adminstrators.  The LPS Guide in general will also provide some ideas.

Preparing newspaper articles pertaining to the chapter.

• Check out an example of how to write an FFA News Release

Readings and Discussion

You have no readings in your Vista readings folder for this week.

There are no additional items this week.