Partners in Active Learning Support (PALS)
Program Overview & Sponsorship
PALS, a mentoring program that matches high school agriculture students with elementary school students, was developed by the National FFA Organization in the mid 1990s. Many agriculture teachers say it is the ideal FFA program because it doesn't take much in the way of financial resources. Instead, PALS makes the most of the human resources found in every community. By providing a solid framework, it creates synergy among the participants so that everyone involved is enriched in the process. And, it provides a way for students to fulfill the FFA motto:Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve. Schools with a PALS program are looking at agricultural education and FFA as an important component of the educational curriculum. The program opens the door for a more diverse membership and helps form a strong community partnership. PALS program objectives. PALS is sponsored by Campbell Soup Company as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.
Start/Register Your PALS Chapter
PALS CD-ROM - contains
- Getting Started: An Advisor’s Guide to PALS
- PALS Advisory Committee Training Manual
- PALS Advisory Committee Handbook
- PALS Mentor Training Activities Booklet
- Various ready-made forms, handouts and letterhead
- PALS Activity Handbook Vol. I
- PALS Activity Handbook Vol. II
- PALS Activity Handbook Vol. III
PALS Chapter Locator (contact pals@ffa.org to register your chapter)
Free Program Evaluation/Seek National Peer Program Certification
Your PALS chapter (or peer helper program) can become a nationally accredited peer helper program through the National Association of Peer Program Professionals (NAPPP). Our two organizations have partnered to provide you with a free 30-minute online evaluation resource that measures how well your program aligns with nationally approved programmatic standards for peer helper programs. There is a cost for certification, but use of the evaluation and its reports is free. Just complete and submit this Peer Helper Online Evaluation Subscription Agreement to begin the process toward national peer program certification!
Current Newsletter & Other Program Materials/Resources
PAL to PAL newsletter -current
Request PALS plaque (form)
Archived PAL to PAL Newsletters
Funding Opportunities 2010
PALS community gardening grant: Deadline: 08/02/10
PALS tutoring grant: Deadline: 08/02/10
Rural Youth Development/Living to Serve grant
Channing Bete Company Green Education Foundation Green Thumb Challenge
Million Hour Challenge
PALS is proud to support the National FFA Organization's Million Hour Challenge, a national civic engagement initiative created to inspire, motivate, and reward FFA chapters performing volunteerism within their communities. Log your chapter's PALS hours by going to Million Hour Challenge today!
Additional Recommended Peer Programming Web Sites
National Association of Peer Program Professionals
NWREL National Mentoring Center
Program Contacts
pals@ffa.org or 317-802-4413
The National FFA Organization affirms its belief in the value of all human beings and seeks diversity in its membership, leadership and staff.