11. They Both Wear the Blue Jacket

After listening to several National FFA Officer Team members make their retiring address, the one that made the biggest impact on me was Joenelle Futurell's address made at the 86th annual National

Convention and Expo. Joenelle talked about the importance of letting your light shine and how letting your light shine on someone in a dark place can change their whole life. She also made it clear that is is FFA members are capable of letting their light shine through this great organization by taking advantage of the endless opportunities they are given. Joenelle said, "When you let your light shine you unconsciously give others permission to do the same." I couldn't agree more. For example, when you let your light shine during a livestock judging contest by ranking among the top placing individuals in the contest, you give permission for the rest of your team to do the same.

The part of her speech that I liked the most was towards the end when she answered the question why is FFA so special, why should i join it? She painted a clear picture of why it is important and summed it up better than I ever could. Joenelle said, "An answer to a question I have been asked by hundreds of parents, members, and supporters alike- what is it that makes FFA so neat and so special that I should join it or support it over any other organization? Simply put, what is it that makes FFA great? My simple answer, we can take any member from anywhere, any day, and give them the opportunity to let their light shine. The valedictorian, the special needs student, they both wear the blue jacket. The quarter back, the one who didn't make the team, they both wear the blue jacket."

I couldn't have said it better myself, we ALL wear the blue jacket. When we put that jacket on and come together for certain cause or event it is a feeling unlike any other. Being surround by members with a common purpose, a common goal, and a desire to succeed is what makes FFA great. Right now you can find thousands of blue jackets and bright futures in Louisville, Kentucky attending the National FFA Convention and Expo. A fun fact about those members, only 27% live in rural farm areas.

10. I Believe in the Future of Agriculture

25 years ago FFA membership was facing a steep decline. With the number of active members declining some were worried about the future of agriculture and agricultural education classes. Where would we be with out agriculture? How would you survived without agriculture? Now, I'm not saying that FFA members are the only people with the potential to carry on the legacy of the agriculture industry, but they are a large part of it. Many people were wondering if these Ag Ed classes were still relevant. Do the kids like what they are learning? Are they learning useful information? How can we get them more involved? One way was to start promoting the organization. They needed to show the kids how this organization can benefit them and what it has to offer. From my own experiences, I have found that a large number of people don't fully understand what the FFA does and why it is so valuable to its members. Most people from the outside looking in think it is just livestock judging contest, or studying horticulture and trying to figure out how to get the best crops off of your land. Although, you can learn all of those things in an agricultural education class, that is not all the organization has to offer. 

I can tell you I learned more in ten minutes talking to my advisor about anything under the sun, from agriculture, to college, to fundraisers, than I did spending hours in classes that didn't strike my interest. FFA Advisors have big shoes to fill and they all have a basic knowledge about anything and everything, they know all the ins and outs of the agriculture industry. They are there to share their knowledge and help you be successful. They have impressive leadership skills, they can public speak like there's no tomorrow, they are trustworthy, and they are dedicated to your education and bettering you. They know potential when they see it, from selecting a bull that will be most beneficial to their herd, to selecting a student that they know would be great at public speaking. 

So now the question is, what can we do to ensure the FFA membership doesn't face another decline? Within the next ten years a lot of FFA Advisors are going to be retiring and the new generation of agriculture is going to be taking over. How are we going to make sure the membership counts stay up? I don't have all the answers to those questions, however, spreading the word and showing the true colors of this organization is going to help kids get involved. I'm just one person, but together we could change the world. I believe in the future of agriculture. Do you?

9. It Gives Back

After hearing about all of the cool things FFA can teach you to better yourself and your career, I thought I would tell you how this organization gives back to you. First, did you know the FFA Organization gives out approximately $2 million dollars in scholarship money each year? A few of the sponsors of these scholarships include, AGCO Dealers, John Deere, RAM Trucks, Firestone Dealers, and Ford Dealers. I was lucky enough to receive a Built Ford Tough scholarship sponsored by Zeck Ford out of Leavenworth, Kansas. On top of receiving the scholarship I got to walk across the stage at the 86^th annual Kansas FFA Convention to receive a certificate,  and meet the owners of Zeck Ford who presented me with a plaque. My scholarship helped make it possible for me to come to Washburn University.

On top of scholarship opportunities, my junior year of high school I received my State FFA Degree. Basically throughout your FFA years you can earn different degrees. In the order of, Discovery Degree, Greenhand Degree, Chapter Degree, State Degree, and American Degree. The Discovery, Greenhand, and Chapter Degrees are all recognized within your chapter at chapter banquets. The State Degree is recognized by the State FFA Association, they choose the top members from the state and present them with the State Degree. To receive the American Degree, you have to be recognized by the National FFA Association and selected from your state.

Besides getting the opportunity to walk across the state at your state FFA convention why are these degrees important? Receiving you State Degree opens many doors for yourself and your schooling. Including my State Degree on scholarship applications, college applications, and job applications, increases my chances of getting into that school or getting that job. Why? Because receiving your State Degree means you are driven to succeed, you enjoy giving back to your community, you are hard-working, and you are successful. Does that mean I got accepted to that school, or got that job solely because of my State Degree? Absolutely not, but it does put the odds in your favor. Giving your all to this organization does pay off, it gives back and helps further your education.

8. Welcome to the Farm

I have tried to make it clear that FFA is more than just livestock and farm living. But it is important to remember that farmers feed the world, they work hard so we don’t have to. Farmers don’t get to call-in in the winter after a bad snow or rain storm, I promise they are up first thing in the morning

checking their livestock and equipment. They have to make sure their livestock is in good shape, make sure they survived the harsh weather, and break ice so they can get water, among all the other daily chores. It’s just another day at the office for them. Coming from a small rural town it is common to see people out checking their herd after a snow storm, it’s common to hear the equipment being moved down to the next field for harvest, and it is extremely common to get stuck behind a tractor for several miles on your way to town.

Knowing all the tasks farmers are responsible for on a daily basis, I wanted to know what makes them wake up every day and love what they do. What keeps them motivated after a long harvest season? Why do they love farming? I asked a couple farmers from home and these are some of the answers I received: One said “Being a part of one of the largest employing jobs in the country and knowing I am helping to feed the world is what keeps me going every day.” Another said, “Being in the great outdoors, knowing I am feeding a growing world’s population is rewarding in itself. When I am driving that tractor across the hay field

on a hot summer’s day there is nothing else I’d rather be doing.” For the younger generation I asked another question. I wanted to know how growing up on a farm either with livestock or crops has helped them become a better person? I got some really awesome responses with this one. One said, “It has shown me responsibility and how to work hard as well as how to care for something and have a passion for it.” Another said, “It taught me the value of hard work, not everything is going to come easy but I would not want it any other way.”

As you can see, growing up with an agricultural background benefits the younger generations in many ways, teaching them valuable life lessons that they will use for the rest of their lives, such as, hard work, responsibility, and determination. Farming might not be a career path for everyone but the farmers that I spoke with would not have it any other way. Being part of the great outdoors, feeding the nation, and teaching the younger generation, is all in a hard day’s work for these guys. 

7. Past, Present, & Future

What do you see when you look at the FFA emblem? Do you see anything? I see the future of agriculture, the past, present, and future, all in one place. Each symbol is equally important and they all serve a purpose. The most recognizable symbol for the FFA Organization is the FFA emblem. It was created as a symbol of vocational agriculture two years before the organization was formed. The emblem contains five symbols that stand for the history, beliefs, goals, and future of the organization. So can you name all five symbols on the emblem?

Cross section of corn:

The “circle” that houses all of the symbols is actually a cross section of corn. The corn symbolizes unity because corn is grown in every state in the nation.

Rising sun:

The rising sun symbolizes progress and opportunity, it is located behind the owl in the center of the emblem.

Plow:

The plow is the symbol of labor and tillage of the soil without labor neither knowledge nor wisdom can accomplish much. The plow symbolizes the foundation of our country’s strength. The plow is located in the center of the emblem.

Eagle:

The eagle symbolizes freedom and ability to explore new horizons for the future of agriculture. The eagle is at the top of the emblem.

Owl:

The owl is the symbol of knowledge and wisdom that is required to be successful in agriculture. The owl is sitting on top of the plow. 

6. It's Harvest Time!

 Fall is officially here! Chilly weather, football games, pumpkin spice everything, and the leaves changing colors are just a few of the reasons why I love this season! Fall also marks the beginning of a busy season for many FFA members. There are several members from the Tonganoxie FFA 

Chapter who are helping with harvest right now. Harvesting corn means spending long nights in the corn field, then waking up early for school, just do to it all again the next day. The dedication and work ethic these kids have never fails to amaze me. FFA members are among the hardest working kids in the community and often times their work goes unrecognized.

Besides harvest, preparing for Halloween and getting ready to help with a Safe Trick-or-Treat at the Tonganoxie Elementary School is another task they are working on. Members volunteer their time to dress up in costumes and hand out candy in the hallways of the elementary school. It is a great way to get your kids’ fix of Halloween candy while staying warm and having a good time. Another event the members will be participating in is FFA Night at Culvers. Culvers is a big sponsor of the FFA, last year they donated money to help our chapter with National Convention Funds. In the evening, on October 14^th from 5-9pm you can find members from the Tonganoxie FFA Chapter serving at Culvers at the Legends in Kansas City.

Besides a few judging contests this month the main focus of the chapter and FFA chapters across the country is last minute National Convention planning and preparation. The trip is approaching quickly for the members and lots of excitement is boiling. With all of these exciting events the members are working on, keeping up on their school work, maintaining their jobs outside of school, and enjoying high school, these kids are extremely busy. Harvest is taking up a lot of time but FFA members and farmers across the country but are doing their part to help feed the world. These kids are dedicated, determined, and ready to work!

Here's a good look at the corn harvest process

5. Life Lessons

As I have said before, the FFA Organization isn’t all about farmers, ranchers, etc. However, it does support the agriculture industry. As a former member I learned the importance of giving back to the community, giving back those less fortunate, and lending a helping hand whenever possible. As a kid, I remember my parents volunteering my siblings and I to go help my grandparents clean their fish

pond, help grandpa with his landscaping, or anything else they might need. My parents still do that today, they volunteer my brother and sister and I to go help out whenever we can. As a kid I hated that, who wants to go help with a landscaping project on a hot summer day? Not this girl. Or help dad build fence for my horses, I mean, they’re my horses but building fence was not my cup of tea.

As I got older and started my FFA career I realized my advisor started volunteering members to go help out in the community or around school. That was when I realized the character traits and qualities my advisor and my parents were trying to instill in us. They weren’t volunteering us to do all of these things to be mean, they were doing it to teach us that helping others and giving back to the people in need is more important than focusing on ourselves. I can’t count the number of times my grandparents have come to watch and support me, from birthday dinners, market lamb shows, National Honors Society banquets, graduation, to coming to see a new horse my parents bought me, my grandparents have done it all. Giving back to those who have bent over backwards for me is something I should want to do, not be forced to do, that what my parents wanted me to learn.

When I finally realized the lesson my parents and my advisor were trying to teach me it put all of those little tasks in a new perspective. Being an FFA member means, lending a helping hand, being respectful, working hard, being a leader, and doing what is right even when no one is watching. Being a good citizen requires all those things as well. My advisor was teaching me many life lessons about being a good FFA member and a strong leader. My parents were doing the same thing but teaching me to be a good person who can stand on my own two feet. My parents expected a lot of us kids when we were growing up, I’m sure I thought they were being mean somewhere along the lines but the reality of it is, they were teaching me that there are more important things in life than what is going on inside of my little world.

Now that I am older and a college student living on my own I 

completely understand why my advisor and my parents held

me to such a high standard and had high expectations for me. All of my achievements and character traits that I now have, help me in life every day and all of those traits came from my parents, grandparents, and my advisor, making me do things I did not always want to do. If you don’t want to be a farmer or a rancher that’s fine, but being a good citizen is something we should all work towards and FFA will help you do that. Being a good FFA member and citizen is about leadership, it's not a position or a title, it's an action and an example.