Ag After School is an after school program for Allen ISD Elementary Schools to teach urban students about basic agriculture facts as well as introduce them to all of the operations that agriculture performs.
I started showing hogs when I was in the 6th grade, coming from a family of very urban and "clean" women it was a big change when I got involved with my local FFA Chapter. It was always fun when I was younger to say that I got to hang out with the high school kids, because thats cool, right? And that's what I was focused on as a Jr. FFA Member; however as I became one of the "big kids" and joined the high school I began to see all of the amazing leadership aspects that the FFA had to offer, and I knew I wanted to be an FFA Officer. I've continued to show both market and breeding hogs throughout high school, and have even added in market and breeding beef, as well as a breeding rabbit, but I've learned so much more than just how to take care of and show an animal. My animals have taught me about being responsible for more than just myself, as well as how to help others. When I joined judging and leadership development teams I learned how to take the strengths of others and use them to help overcome my weaknesses. Being placed into leadership roles within my chapter and district has taught me how to present myself to the public eye, and to not only uphold the morals I have set for myself, but to uphold the morals and values that others expect from me. Through the FFA I've learned how to be a mentor, a leader, and a follower; the FFA has taught me what is truly important in life.
Howdy! My name is Jacob Snyder and although I did not attend Allen HS I was still greatly involved and greatly impacted by the Junior FFA Program. I started out on this adventure when I was a freshman in high school by joining the Collin County 4H Chapter. This was our way of getting started, learning the basics, etc. My first livestock project was raising meat pin rabbits. My brother and I did this as our way of getting our feet wet so that we could get to our future goal which was to show cattle. Our dad, who is now widely known in the Allen FFA and also the FFA Alumni President, told us that we would have to start small our first two years to show to him that this was not going to be just a onetime thing, that we were dedicated, responsible, and making the right decisions. We were able to prove to him that by working together we were able to accomplish a tremendous amount of things. By showing that we were dedicated to the raising of animals we were able to take it a step further and raise show hogs. Hogs were quite different in many aspects in comparison to rabbits. They were a lot bigger in size for starters, but also the care for them was much more detailed, much more time consuming, and much more fun! These hogs may have been, smelly, dirty, and sick a majority of the time but each hog was special. They have their own personality and you grow to love that about the animal. So while you’re caught up in how the animal acts you really are forgetting about all the work that needs to be put in because you feel that the animal deserves the best care. After the year of showing and raising hogs came to a close it was time to see if we had proven our dedication to raising animals to go into cattle. My dream had finally become a reality; I was able to purchase a heifer and raise her and show her. With this was a lot of baggage but good baggage, like meeting new people, going new places, making new friends, learning how to take some of my old experiences and apply and add to the new ones that I was going to learn. Being my rookie year in the cattle game, there was a lot to take in and it was overwhelming at first but it came easier as I went along. As this first year went by the amount of new friends and amount of information I have acquired was incredible. Learning all of this new information constantly was great because it was a lot of work but at the same time it was also fun. By joining an Ag chapter you can to can learn all of these skills. You repeat the tasks so much that they all become second nature by doing so. Going to these shows you’ll be asked to do stuff and it may not make sense at first because you’re constantly moving but when you get into it the task just comes to you like, tying halters, setting up stalls, cleaning your animal, and feeding them. At these shows you get a lot of the kids that are just there to take their animal and win get their prizes and then leave. But yes going for the win is a part of the showing aspect because you then have something physical to show for your hard work and dedication. But that is not the real reason you should join a 4H chapter or FFA chapter, the reason to join is to learn, become a better person, learn how to have a greater respect for our nature and how it all comes together to make the world how it is. Appreciating the world of Ag is why you join the FFA or 4H chapters. You also have something greater than that if you do not win, and speaking from experience you winning does not come easy. That something is the experiences, friends, people you have acquired over the months or years you have been involved. Even tho now I am out of high school my love for Ag has not stopped. I am currently enrolled at Tarleton State University and am pursuing a degree in animal science to go into a career of selling veterinary pharmaceuticals. I am also on the livestock judging team and my knowledge of Ag does nothing but grow! I hope that this helps in getting y’all interested in Ag!
I grew up the son of an ag teacher way down south in McAllen Texas. I was extremely lucky that in my dad's chapter I was always surrounded by positive role models In his chapter officers. As a direct result of this, I always wanted to do everything that I could to be just like them. I remember one day when I was hanging out in my dad's metal shop, I saw an old FFA jacket hanging in the back of a tool closet. I took a closer look at it and quickly realized that this one was different. Instead of saying "McAllen" like the chapter jackets I'd grown so used to seeing, this one said Association. Confused, I asked my dad what that meant, and what he said next is the true root of where my current FFA career began. He said "son, you know those chapter officers you always hang around? Well this jacket belonged to a kid who did that for the entire state of Texas". At this point, my mind was racing. I had no idea that anybody could do anything like that. From that day on, I made it my mission to one day wear a blue and gold corduroy jacket with Texas Association stitched on the back. Along my journey I've learned the value of honestly integrity, and above all passion. Anybody can do whatever they want to do if they are passionate about it. If I can achieve my goal, I know for a fact that anything is possible.
Respectfully submitted, David Daniel Trevino, Texas FFA vice president
Howdy! I began my journey in agriculture shortly after I moved from Highland Village, TX to Celina, a small town just north of Frisco. At this time I was in 4th grade and the only people I knew then from Celina showed goats. I hardly even knew what a goat was. After my first year of involvement I wanted to raise livestock for the rest of my life. Then I began learning more about other species such as lambs, pigs, and rabbits. When I entered high school my Ag Science teacher urged me to get involved in every aspect of FFA. This small push gave me a desire to lead, speak in front of others, and help others grow as the great individuals they were meant to be. Agriculture did not only shape me into the person I am today, it also opened up many opportunities as I began my journey at Texas A&M. I am entering my sophomore year as an animal science major and have already served in two internships. The connections that FFA has given me will continue to benefit me as I graduate from college. However, the responsibility, dedication, and leadership that FFA has taught me will guide me everyday for the rest of my life.
My FFA story started the very first day of my freshman year. I had been placed into an agriscience class, and was longing to get out of it before school started. I do not come from an agricultural background. Nobody in my family farmed, and the closest I had been to a tractor was occasionally driving the lawn mower. I did not think agriscience would be the right fit for me. I could not have been more wrong. After meeting my Ag Teacher and hearing about all of the opportunities the FFA could provide for students, I was hooked. I spent the rest of my high school career taking as many agriculture classes that I could, trying out different career development events, attending leadership conferences, striving for officer positions, and making some of the best friends a girl could ask for. The whole time I was learning more and more about agriculture, and the importance of understanding where my food comes from. My experiences in the FFA even led me to obtaining my first part time job my senior year of high school, working on a local strawberry farm. I was also able to travel across America through the FFA, attending Washington Leadership Conference and National Convention my senior year. After graduating I knew that my time in the FFA was not finished quite yet. The summer of 2013, before I started my freshman year of college, I ran for a State Officer position with the North Carolina FFA Association. I was honored to be selected as one of the six individuals to represent our state. This put my FFA experience over the top. I gained a newfound respect and admiration for the agricultural industry. The year was spent visiting members, facilitating workshops, touring agricultural businesses from the mountains to the coast, improving my leadership and speaking skills, and so much more. I hung up my blue jacket for good this past June, however my FFA story was still not quite finished. I had the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica at the beginning of August with my Association to study international agriculture. In college I am studying Natural Resources, and the trip was the perfect way to tie what I have learnt about agriculture and natural resources together in what was the final “chapter” of my FFA story. Although my time as a member might be over, the experiences and skills I have collected over the years in this amazing organization will live with me for the rest of my life.
Growing up in the urban city of Plano Texas I really wasn't in touch with my agriculture side, therefore when I came across the "Future Farmers of America," I really thought it wasn't for a city kid like me. Telling myself, "that if I brought home a cow my mom would kill me and the HOA would have a fit." Luckily after some persuasion I took a chance and signed up to be a member of the National FFA Organization. My first activities in the FFA were very stereotypical, I got show pig, a pair of cowboy boots, and talked cow sows and plows with my fellow peers.
Once I began to dig deeper into the FFA I realized it wasn't as country as I thought! I began to make countless friends from all parts of Texas and invested my time in other FFA activities such as participating in FFA science fairs, holding countless leadership positions, and taking on one of my biggest fears, public speaking. While doing all of this I thought I was only having fun, making friends, and memories. However by my senior year in high school I had to come to realize that my experience in the FFA was much more than that!
I was very blessed in becoming an Area Officer and having the opportunity to help lead, and more importantly influence over 10,000 FFA members, and through my experiences I acquired many skills that may not seem useful in college and in a non-agriculture setting yet I am applying them to my adult life. You see when I thought I was learning how to walk a pig, I was actually learning determination. When I thought I was learning how to judge cows, I was actually learning the importance and rewards of hard work. When I thought I was learning public speaking and job interview skills, well in this case I knew what I was learning, but never the less picked up a valuable skill. I am the successful and driven person I am today because of my activities in the FFA!
Hello! My name is Kayla Walters. My story with the FFA started back when I was in the fourth grade. (In Mississippi we have a Junior FFA Association, which is for kids 8 years old to 9th grade. They do not have to take an Ag class, it is just a club that is through the Ag programs at the high school, they compete in everything the regular members do and we even have a Junior FFA Officer team that puts on workshops and chapter visits). My dad is the Agriculture teacher/FFA advisor in my high school, in 2003 he brought me with the chapter to the Summer Leadership Camp our state officers host. I remember being so scared and nervous, but I went anyway. That week is what made me want to keep coming back to FFA events, the state officers and other older members were so nice and they treated me just like I was one of them. After that week, I didn't even care or know much about agriculture, I just knew I wanted to be like the state officers and be in FFA. Down the road a few years later in 2008, I ran for a Jr. State Officer position and was elected as the Jr. State Treasurer. The following year I re-ran, and was elected as the Jr. State President. That year I completely changed, you see Mississippi has the 6 traditional state officers, that year we only had 5. So as the Jr. State FFA President, I stepped up and went to NLCSO, put on workshops, and preformed opening ceremonies with the State FFA Officers. As a freshman in highschool, my eyes were opened even wider to all the opportunities and relationships the FFA gives, and I wanted more! These last two years I had the honor of serving as Mississippi's State Secretary and State President, even though God blessed me to be elected to these positions they were so much more that just a title. The FFA literally has shaped me into the person I am today and because of it I received amazing opportunities and friendships that will last a life time! I have been unbelievably blessed all these years and now that I am in college I am excited to be able to give back! I plan to be an Ag teacher, just like my daddy :). I can't wait to start teaching students about the importance of Agriculture and show them the opportunities FFA offers! Thank you for reading this and thank you so much to Brittney for letting me tell my FFA story! :)
Take Care! Kayla Anne Walters Jasper County FFA in Mississippi
Howdy! My name is Micah Newton. My journey in Agricultural Education began just like many other students across the state. My father showed heifers and steers all throughout high school, so as soon as I was of age, I was in the show ring exhibiting market goats. In 2010, I made an investment of thirteen breeding does for market and breeding purposes. Since then, we have steadily grown our operation to approximately 23 does and two bucks. These experiences have instilled a number of vital skills such as responsibility, sportsmanship, integrity, humility, and probably most importantly, the process of finding something you are passionate about and pursuing it. My journey through Agricultural Education does not stop at the goat barn, however. As I entered my freshman year of high school, I was pretty skeptical about what I would get involved in. I participated in several clubs and organizations, yet none of them could compare to the fulfillment of being in FFA. From the Junior Creed contest in Huntsville, to traveling all the way to Lubbock for the Texas FFA Convention, I knew that I had found a home in FFA. The combination of FFA and Agricultural Education provides amazing opportunities for any student that chooses to become apart of this outstanding educational pathway. These programs are a training ground for students who desire to succeed in the future. From Agricultural Education, I have gained numerous life skills that were taught by my agriscience instructors such as parliamentary procedure, welding, and horticulture. Additionally, I have gained a platform for a career in the agricultural industry. Ad Ed provides networking opportunities for students with executives from businesses, professors from universities, and even political leaders. I have already been offered a job after I get my degree from several people I have met through my experiences in Ag Ed. From my showing career, I have learned what it means to pursue something that you are passionate about. I have been able to meet hundreds of people that share the same passion for the market goat industry, and who desire to succeed after high school. With that, I have also gained countless memories and lifelong friends that I will never forget. Finally, FFA has allowed me the opportunity to learn about myself and others as a leader and follower. I have gained a confidence in myself and my abilities, yet have also learned the importance of humility and service through the competitions and leadership training that I have received. I am about to begin my freshman year at Texas A&M University and I can say, without a doubt, that I would not be in the position I am in if I had not been involved in FFA and Ag Ed. It has been proven time and time again that these program change lives. I will never forget the experiences or the skills I have gained from participating in Agricultural Education and FFA.
Hey I'm Clayton Dumesnil.Growing up as an Ag teacher’s kid I had a dislike for agriculture and the lifestyle. I saw very little point to it all. All I wanted to do was play baseball and go home to play some videogames. My freshmen year I was placed into Agricultural Food & Natural Resources 101 (freshmen Ag). I came into my first ag class as a shy, uncomfortable, and clueless freshmen. My teachers immediately got me involved on LDEs. I competed in the quiz bowl, where you take a 100 question test over the FFA manual and Parliamentary Procedures Guide. This knowledge I gained of the FFA sparked my interest to join our Dairy Foods team in the spring. Then before I knew it I was a chapter officer. I then found opportunities at more than just the local level. I became a district, area, and then state officer. I got to travel all over the state of Texas, meet amazing people, and learn countless life lessons. I went from a little kid afraid of a fly to a young man who could raise and exhibit livestock. A lot of parents do not see how that is relevant to being an adult. When raising livestock I learned responsibility, developed a work ethic, and gained knowledge into an industry that I had previously knew nothing about. This shy little kid that once was afraid to talk in front of class got up in front of a crowd of 11,000 and poured his heart out on stage. As a state officer I met many CEOs of companies, businessmen, politicians, and countless others that because of FFA and agriculture were the successful and well-rounded individuals they are today. I heard the stories of how FFA and agriculture changed the lives of not just me but every student that was involved. I got to see FFA and agriculture grow future leaders of tomorrow. I know my life was changed by FFA and agriculture. I urge any students to join and urge all parents to support their children’s involvement. What you learn in FFA will make you a better individual. I’m now an Agricultural Education major at Tarleton State University. This wouldn’t have been possible without FFA
When I first walked into my Principles of Ag class my freshman year, I didn’t really know what to expect. I had been showing market broilers for three years, and only took the Ag class because all of my other friends were, and it seemed a lot more fun than a technology class. I didn’t know that this class would help me grow as a leader, make lots of new friends, and ultimately drive me towards wanting to become an Ag teacher myself. During my first year, I learned the basics. I learned about FFA, how to weld, about animals, and other things. I became the Greenhand Vice-President, and joined the Chapter Conducting LDE and the Horse Judging CDE. I started thinking that I may like this whole “FFA thing”. By my sophomore year, I decided that I wanted to further emerge myself into the leadership aspect of the program. I ran for District officer, and served that year as the Dist. IV Treasurer. I decided to start showing market lambs, and tried out new LDE competitions. Throughout my sophomore year, I learned how much I cared about this program, and the importance of agricultural education in our nation. By this time, I had so many different friends from across our district, and we all came together for the same reason: FFA. By my junior year, I was showing my second Ag mechanics project, my second lamb, a team member in three LDEs and one CDE, and a chapter Vice-President. I ran for Area V officer, and am currently serving as the Reporter. I’ve attended two state conventions, and preformed in the talent show competition at District twice, Area twice, and State once. I am now our chapter’s President, and I cannot wait to see what this next year will hold for Celeste FFA. My favorite part about FFA is the wide range of people that you meet through camps, conferences, and conventions. I know so many people from across the state of Texas, and I know that no matter where I am, if I see someone with an FFA shirt on, I can stop and talk to them. The FFA isn’t just a way to show animals, it is a way to make new friends, grow as a leader, and help improve our nation’s agriculture situation. I am so glad that I walked into that Principles of Ag class freshman year, because this organization has done so much for me over the past three years. That $20 member’s fee may seem like a lot at the beginning, but what you get out of it is so much more that what money can buy.Abby Collida, Area V Reporter
Growing up with a sixth generation dairy farmer as a dad, agriculture has always been a large part of my life. However, it was not until I actually joined my first horticulture class in tenth grade that I realized the diversity of opportunities within our industry. I remember my Ag teacher signing me up for Dairy Foods Career Development Event and all I could think of was Napoleon Dynamite in his odd FFA jacket competing in the same competition. Yet, the more practices I attended, the more I realized my natural knack for the seemingly odd competition. After finishing the State Competition, I was hooked; I am still not sure whether it was the opportunity for growth, the family atmosphere, or the ability we capitalized upon making a difference in our community, I knew I found my niche’ in high school. As I continued on in my high school career I competed in many CDE’s placing gold both state and nationwide, attained the officer positions of Chaplin and Vice President, and developed a SAE working on my family’s farm and renovating historical structures on our farm’s property. Come senior year I knew both my future as an agricultural educator and had developed a drive to become a Maryland State FFA Officer. Now, two years later looking back, serving as Maryland State Reporter (#Stationedbytheflag) and recently elected as Maryland’s 2014 National Officer Candidate, I am pleased with my decision to join this outstanding organization and I look forward with excitement continuing to serve as Alumni. Never before has existed a more service driven and passionate group of youth and I am pleased to say they have been and always will be a cornerstone to my foundation in leadership.Dane Grossnickle
I began my journey in FFA by wittnessing my brother in the program. I was a junior FFA member and began by showing rabbits. My grandfather started me with my project of breeding rabbits and then moved into the market rabbits. Once I started 9th grade I entered into my first Ag science class at Ponder High School with Stephen Green as my Ag teacher. We took Ag 101 and Ag 102 that year. I learned alot about leadership and how I wanted to be as involved as I possibly could. Mr. Green opened the door of opportunity and hauled me and several friends to numerous district and area functions. I soon began showing market sheep and continued this until I graduated. I was a chapter FFA president for 3 years and a district FFA vice-president one year and District President for District V in Area V my senior year. I knew I wanted to become an Ag science teacher soon after my sophomore year of high school and set my sights on teaching Agriculture. I recieved my Lonestar Farmer Degree and my American FFA Degree. I met my husband through FFA he to was very active in FFA and was raised in a family with alot of successful FFA members and advisors. I was fortunate enought that Danny Schertz also mentored me into becoming an Ag Science teacher. The FFA runs through my husband and I's veins. I now am raising my own 3 children with the influences of hard work, leadership and great communication skills through FFA. They are to starting out as Junior FFA members and exhibit livestock and practice juging and public speaking skills already. I feel that FFA is definetly my foundation for such a enriched and fulfilled life and I definetly want the same for my children. I cant think of a better organization and positive impact to raise my children in then this. Teaching agriculture is my life and I love when my students are empowered to allow agriculture to take them to the next stage in their life and bring so many opportunities to their life. I am successful because my students are successful. Thank you FFA, for such a great history and bright future! Stacy Schertz Ag Science Instructor Allen FFA
I started showing hogs when I was in the 6th grade, coming from a family of very urban and "clean" women it was a big change when I got involved with my local FFA Chapter. It was always fun when I was younger to say that I got to hang out with the high school kids, because thats cool, right? And that's what I was focused on as a Jr. FFA Member; however as I became one of the "big kids" and joined the high school I began to see all of the amazing leadership aspects that the FFA had to offer, and I knew I wanted to be an FFA Officer. I've continued to show both market and breeding hogs throughout high school, and have even added in market and breeding beef, as well as a breeding rabbit, but I've learned so much more than just how to take care of and show an animal. My animals have taught me about being responsible for more than just myself, as well as how to help others. When I joined judging and leadership development teams I learned how to take the strengths of others and use them to help overcome my weaknesses. Being placed into leadership roles within my chapter and district has taught me how to present myself to the public eye, and to not only uphold the morals I have set for myself, but to uphold the morals and values that others expect from me. Through the FFA I've learned how to be a mentor, a leader, and a follower; the FFA has taught me what is truly important in life.
ReplyDeleteHowdy!
ReplyDeleteMy name is Jacob Snyder and although I did not attend Allen HS I was still greatly involved and greatly impacted by the Junior FFA Program. I started out on this adventure when I was a freshman in high school by joining the Collin County 4H Chapter. This was our way of getting started, learning the basics, etc. My first livestock project was raising meat pin rabbits. My brother and I did this as our way of getting our feet wet so that we could get to our future goal which was to show cattle. Our dad, who is now widely known in the Allen FFA and also the FFA Alumni President, told us that we would have to start small our first two years to show to him that this was not going to be just a onetime thing, that we were dedicated, responsible, and making the right decisions. We were able to prove to him that by working together we were able to accomplish a tremendous amount of things. By showing that we were dedicated to the raising of animals we were able to take it a step further and raise show hogs. Hogs were quite different in many aspects in comparison to rabbits. They were a lot bigger in size for starters, but also the care for them was much more detailed, much more time consuming, and much more fun! These hogs may have been, smelly, dirty, and sick a majority of the time but each hog was special. They have their own personality and you grow to love that about the animal. So while you’re caught up in how the animal acts you really are forgetting about all the work that needs to be put in because you feel that the animal deserves the best care. After the year of showing and raising hogs came to a close it was time to see if we had proven our dedication to raising animals to go into cattle. My dream had finally become a reality; I was able to purchase a heifer and raise her and show her. With this was a lot of baggage but good baggage, like meeting new people, going new places, making new friends, learning how to take some of my old experiences and apply and add to the new ones that I was going to learn. Being my rookie year in the cattle game, there was a lot to take in and it was overwhelming at first but it came easier as I went along. As this first year went by the amount of new friends and amount of information I have acquired was incredible. Learning all of this new information constantly was great because it was a lot of work but at the same time it was also fun. By joining an Ag chapter you can to can learn all of these skills. You repeat the tasks so much that they all become second nature by doing so. Going to these shows you’ll be asked to do stuff and it may not make sense at first because you’re constantly moving but when you get into it the task just comes to you like, tying halters, setting up stalls, cleaning your animal, and feeding them. At these shows you get a lot of the kids that are just there to take their animal and win get their prizes and then leave. But yes going for the win is a part of the showing aspect because you then have something physical to show for your hard work and dedication. But that is not the real reason you should join a 4H chapter or FFA chapter, the reason to join is to learn, become a better person, learn how to have a greater respect for our nature and how it all comes together to make the world how it is. Appreciating the world of Ag is why you join the FFA or 4H chapters. You also have something greater than that if you do not win, and speaking from experience you winning does not come easy. That something is the experiences, friends, people you have acquired over the months or years you have been involved. Even tho now I am out of high school my love for Ag has not stopped. I am currently enrolled at Tarleton State University and am pursuing a degree in animal science to go into a career of selling veterinary pharmaceuticals. I am also on the livestock judging team and my knowledge of Ag does nothing but grow! I hope that this helps in getting y’all interested in Ag!
I grew up the son of an ag teacher way down south in McAllen Texas. I was extremely lucky that in my dad's chapter I was always surrounded by positive role models In his chapter officers. As a direct result of this, I always wanted to do everything that I could to be just like them. I remember one day when I was hanging out in my dad's metal shop, I saw an old FFA jacket hanging in the back of a tool closet. I took a closer look at it and quickly realized that this one was different. Instead of saying "McAllen" like the chapter jackets I'd grown so used to seeing, this one said Association. Confused, I asked my dad what that meant, and what he said next is the true root of where my current FFA career began. He said "son, you know those chapter officers you always hang around? Well this jacket belonged to a kid who did that for the entire state of Texas". At this point, my mind was racing. I had no idea that anybody could do anything like that. From that day on, I made it my mission to one day wear a blue and gold corduroy jacket with Texas Association stitched on the back. Along my journey I've learned the value of honestly integrity, and above all passion. Anybody can do whatever they want to do if they are passionate about it. If I can achieve my goal, I know for a fact that anything is possible.
ReplyDeleteRespectfully submitted, David Daniel Trevino, Texas FFA vice president
Howdy!
ReplyDeleteI began my journey in agriculture shortly after I moved from Highland Village, TX to Celina, a small town just north of Frisco. At this time I was in 4th grade and the only people I knew then from Celina showed goats. I hardly even knew what a goat was. After my first year of involvement I wanted to raise livestock for the rest of my life. Then I began learning more about other species such as lambs, pigs, and rabbits. When I entered high school my Ag Science teacher urged me to get involved in every aspect of FFA. This small push gave me a desire to lead, speak in front of others, and help others grow as the great individuals they were meant to be. Agriculture did not only shape me into the person I am today, it also opened up many opportunities as I began my journey at Texas A&M. I am entering my sophomore year as an animal science major and have already served in two internships. The connections that FFA has given me will continue to benefit me as I graduate from college. However, the responsibility, dedication, and leadership that FFA has taught me will guide me everyday for the rest of my life.
My FFA story started the very first day of my freshman year. I had been placed into an agriscience class, and was longing to get out of it before school started. I do not come from an agricultural background. Nobody in my family farmed, and the closest I had been to a tractor was occasionally driving the lawn mower. I did not think agriscience would be the right fit for me. I could not have been more wrong. After meeting my Ag Teacher and hearing about all of the opportunities the FFA could provide for students, I was hooked. I spent the rest of my high school career taking as many agriculture classes that I could, trying out different career development events, attending leadership conferences, striving for officer positions, and making some of the best friends a girl could ask for. The whole time I was learning more and more about agriculture, and the importance of understanding where my food comes from. My experiences in the FFA even led me to obtaining my first part time job my senior year of high school, working on a local strawberry farm. I was also able to travel across America through the FFA, attending Washington Leadership Conference and National Convention my senior year.
ReplyDeleteAfter graduating I knew that my time in the FFA was not finished quite yet. The summer of 2013, before I started my freshman year of college, I ran for a State Officer position with the North Carolina FFA Association. I was honored to be selected as one of the six individuals to represent our state. This put my FFA experience over the top. I gained a newfound respect and admiration for the agricultural industry. The year was spent visiting members, facilitating workshops, touring agricultural businesses from the mountains to the coast, improving my leadership and speaking skills, and so much more.
I hung up my blue jacket for good this past June, however my FFA story was still not quite finished. I had the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica at the beginning of August with my Association to study international agriculture. In college I am studying Natural Resources, and the trip was the perfect way to tie what I have learnt about agriculture and natural resources together in what was the final “chapter” of my FFA story. Although my time as a member might be over, the experiences and skills I have collected over the years in this amazing organization will live with me for the rest of my life.
-Haley Lohr
North Carolina FFA
Growing up in the urban city of Plano Texas I really wasn't in touch with my agriculture side, therefore when I came across the "Future Farmers of America," I really thought it wasn't for a city kid like me. Telling myself, "that if I brought home a cow my mom would kill me and the HOA would have a fit." Luckily after some persuasion I took a chance and signed up to be a member of the National FFA Organization. My first activities in the FFA were very stereotypical, I got show pig, a pair of cowboy boots, and talked cow sows and plows with my fellow peers.
ReplyDeleteOnce I began to dig deeper into the FFA I realized it wasn't as country as I thought! I began to make countless friends from all parts of Texas and invested my time in other FFA activities such as participating in FFA science fairs, holding countless leadership positions, and taking on one of my biggest fears, public speaking. While doing all of this I thought I was only having fun, making friends, and memories. However by my senior year in high school I had to come to realize that my experience in the FFA was much more than that!
I was very blessed in becoming an Area Officer and having the opportunity to help lead, and more importantly influence over 10,000 FFA members, and through my experiences I acquired many skills that may not seem useful in college and in a non-agriculture setting yet I am applying them to my adult life. You see when I thought I was learning how to walk a pig, I was actually learning determination. When I thought I was learning how to judge cows, I was actually learning the importance and rewards of hard work. When I thought I was learning public speaking and job interview skills, well in this case I knew what I was learning, but never the less picked up a valuable skill. I am the successful and driven person I am today because of my activities in the FFA!
Thomas Rockwood
Plano East FFA Alumni
Hello! My name is Kayla Walters. My story with the FFA started back when I was in the fourth grade. (In Mississippi we have a Junior FFA Association, which is for kids 8 years old to 9th grade. They do not have to take an Ag class, it is just a club that is through the Ag programs at the high school, they compete in everything the regular members do and we even have a Junior FFA Officer team that puts on workshops and chapter visits). My dad is the Agriculture teacher/FFA advisor in my high school, in 2003 he brought me with the chapter to the Summer Leadership Camp our state officers host. I remember being so scared and nervous, but I went anyway. That week is what made me want to keep coming back to FFA events, the state officers and other older members were so nice and they treated me just like I was one of them. After that week, I didn't even care or know much about agriculture, I just knew I wanted to be like the state officers and be in FFA. Down the road a few years later in 2008, I ran for a Jr. State Officer position and was elected as the Jr. State Treasurer. The following year I re-ran, and was elected as the Jr. State President. That year I completely changed, you see Mississippi has the 6 traditional state officers, that year we only had 5. So as the Jr. State FFA President, I stepped up and went to NLCSO, put on workshops, and preformed opening ceremonies with the State FFA Officers. As a freshman in highschool, my eyes were opened even wider to all the opportunities and relationships the FFA gives, and I wanted more! These last two years I had the honor of serving as Mississippi's State Secretary and State President, even though God blessed me to be elected to these positions they were so much more that just a title. The FFA literally has shaped me into the person I am today and because of it I received amazing opportunities and friendships that will last a life time! I have been unbelievably blessed all these years and now that I am in college I am excited to be able to give back! I plan to be an Ag teacher, just like my daddy :). I can't wait to start teaching students about the importance of Agriculture and show them the opportunities FFA offers! Thank you for reading this and thank you so much to Brittney for letting me tell my FFA story! :)
ReplyDeleteTake Care!
Kayla Anne Walters
Jasper County FFA in Mississippi
Howdy! My name is Micah Newton. My journey in Agricultural Education began just like many other students across the state. My father showed heifers and steers all throughout high school, so as soon as I was of age, I was in the show ring exhibiting market goats. In 2010, I made an investment of thirteen breeding does for market and breeding purposes. Since then, we have steadily grown our operation to approximately 23 does and two bucks. These experiences have instilled a number of vital skills such as responsibility, sportsmanship, integrity, humility, and probably most importantly, the process of finding something you are passionate about and pursuing it. My journey through Agricultural Education does not stop at the goat barn, however. As I entered my freshman year of high school, I was pretty skeptical about what I would get involved in. I participated in several clubs and organizations, yet none of them could compare to the fulfillment of being in FFA. From the Junior Creed contest in Huntsville, to traveling all the way to Lubbock for the Texas FFA Convention, I knew that I had found a home in FFA. The combination of FFA and Agricultural Education provides amazing opportunities for any student that chooses to become apart of this outstanding educational pathway. These programs are a training ground for students who desire to succeed in the future. From Agricultural Education, I have gained numerous life skills that were taught by my agriscience instructors such as parliamentary procedure, welding, and horticulture. Additionally, I have gained a platform for a career in the agricultural industry. Ad Ed provides networking opportunities for students with executives from businesses, professors from universities, and even political leaders. I have already been offered a job after I get my degree from several people I have met through my experiences in Ag Ed. From my showing career, I have learned what it means to pursue something that you are passionate about. I have been able to meet hundreds of people that share the same passion for the market goat industry, and who desire to succeed after high school. With that, I have also gained countless memories and lifelong friends that I will never forget. Finally, FFA has allowed me the opportunity to learn about myself and others as a leader and follower. I have gained a confidence in myself and my abilities, yet have also learned the importance of humility and service through the competitions and leadership training that I have received. I am about to begin my freshman year at Texas A&M University and I can say, without a doubt, that I would not be in the position I am in if I had not been involved in FFA and Ag Ed. It has been proven time and time again that these program change lives. I will never forget the experiences or the skills I have gained from participating in Agricultural Education and FFA.
ReplyDeleteHey I'm Clayton Dumesnil.Growing up as an Ag teacher’s kid I had a dislike for agriculture and the lifestyle. I saw very little point to it all. All I wanted to do was play baseball and go home to play some videogames. My freshmen year I was placed into Agricultural Food & Natural Resources 101 (freshmen Ag). I came into my first ag class as a shy, uncomfortable, and clueless freshmen. My teachers immediately got me involved on LDEs. I competed in the quiz bowl, where you take a 100 question test over the FFA manual and Parliamentary Procedures Guide. This knowledge I gained of the FFA sparked my interest to join our Dairy Foods team in the spring. Then before I knew it I was a chapter officer. I then found opportunities at more than just the local level. I became a district, area, and then state officer. I got to travel all over the state of Texas, meet amazing people, and learn countless life lessons. I went from a little kid afraid of a fly to a young man who could raise and exhibit livestock. A lot of parents do not see how that is relevant to being an adult. When raising livestock I learned responsibility, developed a work ethic, and gained knowledge into an industry that I had previously knew nothing about. This shy little kid that once was afraid to talk in front of class got up in front of a crowd of 11,000 and poured his heart out on stage. As a state officer I met many CEOs of companies, businessmen, politicians, and countless others that because of FFA and agriculture were the successful and well-rounded individuals they are today. I heard the stories of how FFA and agriculture changed the lives of not just me but every student that was involved. I got to see FFA and agriculture grow future leaders of tomorrow. I know my life was changed by FFA and agriculture. I urge any students to join and urge all parents to support their children’s involvement. What you learn in FFA will make you a better individual. I’m now an Agricultural Education major at Tarleton State University. This wouldn’t have been possible without FFA
ReplyDeleteWhen I first walked into my Principles of Ag class my freshman year, I didn’t really know what to expect. I had been showing market broilers for three years, and only took the Ag class because all of my other friends were, and it seemed a lot more fun than a technology class. I didn’t know that this class would help me grow as a leader, make lots of new friends, and ultimately drive me towards wanting to become an Ag teacher myself.
ReplyDeleteDuring my first year, I learned the basics. I learned about FFA, how to weld, about animals, and other things. I became the Greenhand Vice-President, and joined the Chapter Conducting LDE and the Horse Judging CDE. I started thinking that I may like this whole “FFA thing”. By my sophomore year, I decided that I wanted to further emerge myself into the leadership aspect of the program. I ran for District officer, and served that year as the Dist. IV Treasurer. I decided to start showing market lambs, and tried out new LDE competitions.
Throughout my sophomore year, I learned how much I cared about this program, and the importance of agricultural education in our nation. By this time, I had so many different friends from across our district, and we all came together for the same reason: FFA.
By my junior year, I was showing my second Ag mechanics project, my second lamb, a team member in three LDEs and one CDE, and a chapter Vice-President. I ran for Area V officer, and am currently serving as the Reporter. I’ve attended two state conventions, and preformed in the talent show competition at District twice, Area twice, and State once. I am now our chapter’s President, and I cannot wait to see what this next year will hold for Celeste FFA.
My favorite part about FFA is the wide range of people that you meet through camps, conferences, and conventions. I know so many people from across the state of Texas, and I know that no matter where I am, if I see someone with an FFA shirt on, I can stop and talk to them. The FFA isn’t just a way to show animals, it is a way to make new friends, grow as a leader, and help improve our nation’s agriculture situation. I am so glad that I walked into that Principles of Ag class freshman year, because this organization has done so much for me over the past three years. That $20 member’s fee may seem like a lot at the beginning, but what you get out of it is so much more that what money can buy.Abby Collida, Area V Reporter
Growing up with a sixth generation dairy farmer as a dad, agriculture has always been a large part of my life. However, it was not until I actually joined my first horticulture class in tenth grade that I realized the diversity of opportunities within our industry. I remember my Ag teacher signing me up for Dairy Foods Career Development Event and all I could think of was Napoleon Dynamite in his odd FFA jacket competing in the same competition. Yet, the more practices I attended, the more I realized my natural knack for the seemingly odd competition. After finishing the State Competition, I was hooked; I am still not sure whether it was the opportunity for growth, the family atmosphere, or the ability we capitalized upon making a difference in our community, I knew I found my niche’ in high school. As I continued on in my high school career I competed in many CDE’s placing gold both state and nationwide, attained the officer positions of Chaplin and Vice President, and developed a SAE working on my family’s farm and renovating historical structures on our farm’s property. Come senior year I knew both my future as an agricultural educator and had developed a drive to become a Maryland State FFA Officer. Now, two years later looking back, serving as Maryland State Reporter (#Stationedbytheflag) and recently elected as Maryland’s 2014 National Officer Candidate, I am pleased with my decision to join this outstanding organization and I look forward with excitement continuing to serve as Alumni. Never before has existed a more service driven and passionate group of youth and I am pleased to say they have been and always will be a cornerstone to my foundation in leadership.Dane Grossnickle
ReplyDeleteI began my journey in FFA by wittnessing my brother in the program. I was a junior FFA member and began by showing rabbits. My grandfather started me with my project of breeding rabbits and then moved into the market rabbits. Once I started 9th grade I entered into my first Ag science class at Ponder High School with Stephen Green as my Ag teacher. We took Ag 101 and Ag 102 that year. I learned alot about leadership and how I wanted to be as involved as I possibly could. Mr. Green opened the door of opportunity and hauled me and several friends to numerous district and area functions. I soon began showing market sheep and continued this until I graduated. I was a chapter FFA president for 3 years and a district FFA vice-president one year and District President for District V in Area V my senior year. I knew I wanted to become an Ag science teacher soon after my sophomore year of high school and set my sights on teaching Agriculture. I recieved my Lonestar Farmer Degree and my American FFA Degree. I met my husband through FFA he to was very active in FFA and was raised in a family with alot of successful FFA members and advisors. I was fortunate enought that Danny Schertz also mentored me into becoming an Ag Science teacher. The FFA runs through my husband and I's veins. I now am raising my own 3 children with the influences of hard work, leadership and great communication skills through FFA. They are to starting out as Junior FFA members and exhibit livestock and practice juging and public speaking skills already. I feel that FFA is definetly my foundation for such a enriched and fulfilled life and I definetly want the same for my children. I cant think of a better organization and positive impact to raise my children in then this. Teaching agriculture is my life and I love when my students are empowered to allow agriculture to take them to the next stage in their life and bring so many opportunities to their life. I am successful because my students are successful.
ReplyDeleteThank you FFA, for such a great history and bright future!
Stacy Schertz
Ag Science Instructor
Allen FFA