INDIANAPOLIS – In announcing the development of an Executive in Residence program devoted to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I), the National FFA Organization said the strategy – when implemented – will impact members, staff and leadership, and directly influence the organization’s programs and services.

Brandon Bell was named the first executive in residence earlier this year. The program was created in partnership with Syngenta, where Bell is diversity and inclusion lead – North America. He will serve as executive in residence for organizational development and culture in his role with FFA, the organization said.

“Agriculture is uniquely positioned to have a conversation around ED&I,” Bell explained. “Who doesn’t benefit from agriculture? When you think about agriculture, the end user is every person on the planet.”

Among Bell’s duties will be to serve as an internal consultant to assess, design, develop and execute an ED&I strategy, the organization said. In doing so, he’ll work with FFA’s board of directors, CEO, Integrated Management Team senior leaders and stakeholders.

He will “create a framework for implementing and measuring ED&I goals and values statements, including diverse membership, inclusive experiences, equitable access/success, organizational accountability, and delivery system impact that interfaces with broader organizational processes,” according to FFA.

Bell will also assess, create and deliver ED&I training, tools and resources to FFA stakeholder groups, the organization said.

“This partnership is part of a broader organizational transformation,” Scott Stump, National FFA CEO, said in a press release. “We want to ensure our current and future members feel welcomed, and FFA is indeed a place for all to feel valued and contribute to our mission.”

In working to create an ED&I strategy, Bell said it’s important to explain the “why” and the goal of the strategy. People, regardless of background, should have an opportunity and a place, he said. “We have these strategies to be sure we’re always moving forward.”

Bell has worked for Syngenta since 2020. He has a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s in education, both from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. His previous experience includes working as a crisis counselor for a battered women’s shelter. Bell has designed and implemented ED&I strategies for civic, public and private entities.

The development of just about any strategy starts with listening, he said. “This helps to find common interests, desires and goals,” Bell stated. “ED&I is not a stand-alone strategy. It’s weighed the same (as the organization’s other strategies). They all work together.”

People can learn something about ED&I whether they’re young or old, Bell said. It will be beneficial to work with FFA members, he said, because the sooner conversations about ED&I can start, the better.

Bell began working with FFA in 2021. “We all know FFA as one of the premier leaders in education,” he said. “It’s important to ensure that we’re sharing the values of inclusion and respect through FFA. You’re a part of your community.”

Farm operators should think about equity, diversity and inclusion too, Bell said. They should consider if their communities are inclusive and fair, and welcome new and different perspectives.

National FFA has more than 735,000 student members from 8,817 local FFA chapters in every state, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.