The moment I walked into the agriculture classroom, my life changed forever. I joined FFA with little knowledge on what the organization was or consisted of. I joined because I heard the new program had many amazing accomplishments, and I have strong love for agriculture. Over the past four years, this organization has opened many doors for me and led me to many awards and my future career. During the moment when I first entered the Agriculture classroom, I had no idea I would end up where I am today.
Growing up working on my family’s farm, my passion for agriculture started at a very young age. Farming was a part of my life and I enjoyed every aspect of it. I loved feeding the animals, assisting with my families’ pumpkin patch and even getting my hands dirty from time to time when helping clean out the barn. As a young child, I remember going to the livestock market with my grandpa, and I always looked forward to the Saturday’s we were able to go together. Once I was old enough, I began showing livestock at the Putnam County Fair. Over the past nine years, I have shown pigs, steers, feeder calves, and lambs. From my experience on my families’ farm and showing at the county fair, I developed a growing passion for agriculture.
FFA is an organization for opportunity. Growing up, my childhood was not easy. Unfortunately, I was faced with losses and setbacks at a very young age. Although there were hardships in my life, through the FFA I had the opportunity to overcome obstacles and have a “second chance”. The FFA turned the shy, quiet, average new girl into the Senior Class President, a member of the National Honor Society, and the Vice President of the FFA Chapter. Not only did I grow as an individual, but I was able to learn about the agriculture industry, gain many friendships throughout the state, and develop a plan for my future career. I believe the agriculture classroom is a place where I can be myself. I was able to find my “people”. I am very thankful for the FFA organization and my time in the classroom which allowed me to step out of my comfort zone.
“I believe in the future of agriculture” was one of the first things I learned in my first Agriculture class. Over the past four years, I have grasped what that statement actually means to me. In life, I desire to be able to give back to my community. My experiences in agriculture classes, FFA activities/competitions, and being pushed by my Ag teacher and family members has made me recognize agriculture is my true passion. I certainly do believe this is our future. Currently, the United States has a continuously growing population. As a society, we need educated individuals that understand sustainable harvesting techniques, technology, and business leaders. These experiences not only made me realize where my heart is, but that Agriculture Education is something I am very interested in pursuing. As someone who has grown up surrounded by agriculture and has a love for promoting it, I would be so happy to be able to share my passion with the youth.
After graduation, I plan to attend Potomac State College majoring in Agricultural Education. I look forward to educating the next generation of agriculturists. I want to help my future students realize in life your circumstances do not determine the person you will become. I hope to be a role model for students, just as my FFA Advisor, Mrs. Grant, has been for me.
From someone who was once quiet and shy, I want to reach out to anyone who is scared to step up and say, “Don’t be scared. Just do it.” If I would not have walked into the agriculture classroom, my life would be completely different right now. As a senior in high school, I encourage every student to try something new. I will never forget, nor regret the day in freshman year when I walked into a FFA meeting and said, “I want to do this.” I am thankful for this organization, the people I have met because of it, and the future I now have because of it.