Dr. Steve A. Brown has been selected by the US Department of Education as an educational program specialist serving as the national advisor of the National FFA Organization and chairman of the national FFA board of directors.
Brown is an Educational Program Specialist for Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Sciences (AFNRS) educational programs in the Division of Academic & Technical Education (DATE) of the Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) at the U.S. Department of Education. His responsibilities include; providing for administration of the duties of the National FFA Organization Federal Charter (PL 105-225) as integral to Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Sciences (ANRS) program; serves as the National FFA Advisor and chairman of the National FFA Organization Board of Directors providing catalytic leadership for the National FFA Organization; advocates and provides leadership to support the partnerships of Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) with OVAE, helping prepare all students with 21st century employability skills in alignment of college and career readiness; serves as a liaison for Science Technology Engineering & Math (STEM) Career Cluster; and supports Rigorous Programs of Study project coordination.
Brown began his career at an Area Career and Technical Center classroom teacher in Agricultural Education. He served as a District Supervisor in Agricultural Education for 23 years at the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education before coming to the U.S. Department of Education in March of 2008. Brown served in leadership roles in the National Association of Supervisors of Agricultural Education, the National Council for Agricultural Education, the National FFA Board of Directors and as the National FFA Executive Secretary prior to becoming the National FFA Advisor. Brown earned an Ed.D. in Agricultural Education at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Brown takes over the helm from Dr. Larry Case, who was National FFA Advisor since 1985, retiring in January 2011.
What does the National FFA Advisor do?
As the National FFA Advisor, he represents the National FFA Organization to all outside parties, stakeholders and partners. He builds and maintains the communication links between the board, stakeholders and other organizations. He develops the National FFA board meeting agendas and chairs the board meetings to assure fair and open deliberations. He oversees the development and implementation of board policies and guides the National FFA Organization in fulfilling its mission. The FFA Mission: FFA makes a positive difference in the lives if students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
A valuable partner within the career technical education community, Dr. Steve Brown can be reached at sbrown@ffa.org.