FFA Member of the Week: Stepping Up

FFA Member of the Week

Name:  Nathan Vonderharr

FFA Chapter:  AFSA

Grade in School:  9th

Favorite Color:  Medium to Dark Green

Fun Fact:  Nathan lives on a hobby farm with 14 Nubian goats, and different breeds of chickens and swine.  He has even been breeding his own chicken and goats for the last 7 years!

 Being a student at AFSA High School means that you are automatically an FFA member once you enter the school, but Nathan Vonderharr's automatic membership isn't what led him to wanting to wear that corduroy jacket that we are all so familiar with.  Nathan, only a freshman and just beginning his FFA career, has a love for agriculture and a desire to learn, which is driving him to success!

In addition to be an active member of the Isanti County 4-H, Nathan is quickly becoming immersed in everything that FFA has to offer him.  So far, he has competed in the Poultry Career Development Event for the past two years as well as participated in the Agri Science Fair.  Not only did he participate, but he placed 1st in the state with his Animal Systems entry as an 8th grader!  Nathan was also proud to represent his chapter at both State and National FFA Convention.

Nathan has a true passion for FFA and agriculture and he is doing whatever he can to develop himself as a leader, but he also recognizes how much of an impact he can have on his chapter and the agriculture industry as a whole.  He shows us that every member is equally as important to influencing the success of our organization and industry, no matter what your age or title is.  Nathan has stepped into the blue jacket and stepped up to a bright future!

 FFA has many supporters that help us grow our organization and its members.  Nathan, along with many of his fellow chapter FFA members, have played an integral role in strengthening the partnership with a few of our important supporters.  He has worked as a volunteer at both the Land O'Lakes and CHS Inc. Annual Meetings where he has done whatever he can to help them make their events run smoothly.  In addition to this, Nathan has even presented his Agriscience Fair project to research scientists at General Mills where they worked together to learn together. 

Nathan has done more than just help strengthen the partnership between FFA and its supporters, he has increased the comradery within his own chapter.  Whether it was participating in the spring and fall service days or just being that helping hand when the chapter is preparing for an event or activity--he is there to give of himself and deepen his understanding of the organization.  He has even helped in guiding visitors and prospect students in "shadow events."  He loves teaching them about FFA, Agricultural Education, and everything that the AFSA High School has to offer its students.

Increasing his knowledge of multiple agricultural areas, and improving his public speaking and leadership skills are just a few things that Nathan appreciates having gained from his FFA career so far.  He loves to meet new people, make new connections, and increase his FFA knowledge. 

He hopes to one day place at the National FFA Convention with his Agriscience Fair project and desires to serve as the AFSA Chapter FFA President.  He would also like to attend the University of Minnesota and study to become a large animal veterinarian or work with poultry sciences.  He isn't going to let anything stop him because he knows that age and title don't matter when it comes to making an impact!

Congratulations to Nathan Vonderharr for his hard work and dedication as a young FFA member and for the being the FFA Member of the Week!