A Thank You 25 Years in the Making

By Bailee Schiefelbein – Kimball FFA

As an FFA member, I have vivid memories of attending state convention for the past three years. A lot changes each year like the hotel room, other members and state officers. The highlight for many people at convention is when the new state officer team is announced. You can feel the excitement as well as the anxious energy when one by one each team member is announced. The event is thrilling, and for the first time in nearly 25 years, one new team member will be announced. This team member is often over-looked, but is immensely important to the work of our organization. Mr. Joel Larsen has served as our Minnesota State FFA Advisor for nearly 25 years, but his story starts way before then.

Mr. Larsen has an immense love for agricultural education and helping young students discover their passion for agriculture. He knows that young students have so much potential in agriculture they just need a little help finding it. Mr. Larsen started his teaching career at St. James High School. While he was only there for a short time, it jump started his career. His next role was as FFA advisor and agricultural education teacher in Belle Plaine for about 13 years. The most exciting part about working with Belle Plaine FFA was how the chapter made a positive impact on the community. In 1995, he was offered a job with the Department of Education focusing on agricultural education as the State FFA Advisor.

In this state-wide roll, Larsen has dedicated his life to helping students accomplish countless goals to help them pursue their passion and inborn fondness for agriculture. Sometimes that passion drives members to attain the highest rank available in FFA: the American Degree. He has enjoyed working with, interviewing and meeting these incredible American Degree candidates. He has also seen the amazing work of our Minnesota Star candidates and has felt honored to work with each of them. Mr. Larsen says that meeting these accomplished students has been a highlight of his career because you can see the excitement these kids have when they complete their goal.

In fact, each convention is special to him because of the eagerness of each student whether they are competing or supporting and learning. The anticipation that fills the air is undeniable and unrivaled. He loves watching members transfer emotion and intensity into a Career Development Event, an interview for Supervised Agriculture Experience or walking across the stage earning awards and recognition for what they have been working on all year long or even longer.

Though he is sad to leave his day job, he knows he will never leave FFA. Like the FFA Creed says, Mr. Larsen believes in the future of agriculture and confidently states, “the future is bright for agricultural education and FFA.” He knows that in FFA, youth are able to discover their passion. Not only do they find a desire for a future career, but they are guided the whole way along the journey to a career. FFA helps students understand how to get the job whether it is education or interviewing skills. FFA is there to help members reach their career goals. The amount of career opportunities available to students these days is incredible when participating in FFA and in agriculture in general.

Since Mr. Larsen came into the office of State FFA Advisor, FFA has been growing, which can make leaving harder. But this reassures him that Minnesota FFA is in a good place. The growth of members, students and supporters demonstrates that there is a bright future for Agriculture Education and FFA in the state of Minnesota.

We will all miss Mr. Larsen, but the work he has done for our state to support agricultural education and FFA will never be forgotten. On behalf of every Minnesota FFA member past and present, thank you Mr. Larsen!