We Are FFA

Recently in an interview, I was asked to name some of my favorite moments and things from my year as a State Officer. At first, I felt inclined to answer with things like, the State Greenhand Leadership Conference, The Minnesota State Fair and the International Leadership Seminar for State Officers. After some further thought, I realized it wasn’t those things in and of themselves that made them memorable. Instead, it was the little moments within the larger events that made this year of service so special.

At the State Greenhand Leadership Conference, it was the late night cabin chats with my bunk buddies that I recall as being one of my favorite moments. At the State Fair, it was going on a lunch break with the ambassadors and witnessing them willingly stop to answer questions about FFA even though they only had a few minutes to find something to eat. While on the International Leadership Seminar, it was the moments we reflected together about global agriculture, human connection and cultural intelligence.

Each of these little moments have come together to create one inspiring year. Similarly, each of the members in these moments, along with the other 10,000 members in our great state, come together to make up the Minnesota FFA Association.

From the beginning of my FFA career, I have believed that one of the reasons FFA is valuable in a student’s life is because it provides an environment where students are valued. Parents, supporters, advisors, industry professionals and members alike have told me that they believe FFA is the premier leadership organization for young people. When I ask someone why they believe in our organization, I generally get large and loud answers - similar to the way I wanted to answer the question about my favorite part of my State Officer year. Parents tell me that they love seeing their students engaged, supporters tell me we are prepared to enter the real world and members tell me that they get to try new things or meet new people.

I would agree with all of those statements, but I would take it one step further by saying those same people that tell me they believe in FFA, are the people who make FFA what it is. Students are engaged because parents allowed them to participate, because an advisor invited them or because a peer welcomed them into the ag room. Members are prepared for the real world because professionals and supporters are taking time to teach us the skills we need to succeed and providing resources to help us discover our passions. Most important of all, FFA members feel valued and they get to try new things because another member wasn’t afraid to reach out and say hello.

I’m sure we have all heard someone say, “It is what you make it,” but I encourage you to hear it differently this time. FFA is in many ways the premier leadership organization for young people, but only so because of you. Let’s take ownership for the role we play. Whether we’re a member or an adult who hung up our jacket years ago or maybe never wore the blue jacket, know that we are responsible for the culture we are cultivating, and we can always do better. You bring the beliefs, values and skills of one person, but together we create and maintain the ideals and culture of the National FFA Organization.

How can you continue to create a culture of acceptance, growth and encouragement within our organization?

Minnesota FFA, It’s been an honor to serve as your President.

Stationed Beneath the Rising Sun,

Grace Taylor