What influenced you to join FFA?
My FFA journey started during my Freshman year of high school right after covid. I was not 100% sure what clubs or activities I wanted to get involved in, but there was always something that drew my attention to FFA. While having an agricultural background, it was something more than that. Whether it was my dads journey in FFA or the upperclassmen or my ag teacher, quickly I became an active member and took part in several different activities. For example my advisor and senior members convinced me to do the FFA creed virtually. While I didn’t realize it, that was just the start to my FFA journey, I started to fall in love with the organization more and more through each activity or event. Eventually I went from being the shy member to the member that said yes to everything. I served as a chapter officer for three years, Reporter for 2 years and President my senior year. FFA felt like a home away from home becoming my second home and family. It was more than just a club in school, it was about personal growth, leadership, community involvement, and building relationships that will last a lifetime. For me, it was the simple connections that allowed me to find my purpose in life and I want everyone to have simple connections to help them find their purpose within the agriculture industry, FFA and let alone the world.
What inspired you to serve as a State Officer?
Through FFA, I've developed public speaking skills, formed meaningful connections, and discovered the joy of serving others. After giving my retirement address, a fellow member told me," You are FFA." In the moment, I didn't fully understand what it meant. Looking back now, I realize the depth of that statement - it reflected the impact I had on their FFA journey and the journeys of others. That moment solidified my passion for serving others. As a State Officer, I hope to positively influence every member I encounter, helping them discover their purpose within FFA and the agriculture industry. For me, leadership is not a role - it's a calling. It's not a job, but a joy. Each member's journey is unique, and I aspire to help them uncover what makes them special while fostering a community that advocates, leads, and serves with heart. My Supervised Agricultural Experience has played a key role in shaping my understanding of the industry, and I am eager to share both the challenges and successes I have faced. FFA has given me the opportunity to grow personally and professionally, for example overcoming my learning disability dyslexia, while inspiring and impacting others. By connecting with members through my own story and passion for agriculture, leadership, and FFA, I hope to inspire my peers.
What are your favorite FFA experiences?
It’s honestly so hard to just choose a couple of my favorite FFA experiences, but if I had to choose the most impactful experience I definitely would choose the 2024 Halftime Leadership Conference. I was a senior in high school, feeling like something was missing and searching for clarity in who I was as a leader and how I could best serve others. This conference gave me the space to reflect, grow, and find some of the answers I had been seeking. One of the most meaningful moments came during the reflection ceremony. We were asked to write the name of a leader who had made a lasting impact on us on a small rock, along with why their ripple effect mattered. That rock was then placed in the inside pocket of our blue corduroy jackets as a constant reminder of our "why." For me, it was a powerful symbol of gratitude and purpose that reminds me of the people who've shaped my journey and the kind of leader I strive to be. Since that conference, I've become more intentional about how I lead and serve, not only through production agriculture and in college, but also by encouraging and guiding others just as I have been guided. The experience was beyond beneficial as it strengthened my confidence, broadened my network, and helped set the direction for my future in FFA and beyond. While this was one of the most impactful experiences, I think honestly the best FFA experience is being able to connect with all the other members and relate and grow together while serving and leading the world.
What are your future plans
My future plans are finishing out my studies at the University of Wisconsin Platteville studying agriculture education. I hope one day to find myself in the classroom educating others about agriculture, while serving as an FFA advisor. Outside of my degree I hope to return back to my family’s cash crop and beef farm and continue to expand the farm as well as my knowledge for the agriculture industry.
What is something members should know about you?
I am someone that believes in simple small connections. I am here for you and ready to listen and connect with you. While I love the agriculture industry, FFA, showing cattle, and being involved within the community, connections that I make are more important to me than anything else. As we connect with each other we are able to grow as individuals and a community, but first it starts with the connections of the heart. I am so excited for all the connections that will happen this year!