Driving down memory lane

This past week was definitely one for the memory books! After attending 3 banquets, 3 State Contests, and putting over another 1000 miles on my truck it is hard to grasp that my year as an Indiana FFA State Officer is coming to an end! It seems like just yesterday that our team went swimming for the first time in the lake under the moonlight and recited our "opening ceremonies" part. Though this year has flown by, I will never forget the memories made with my teammates, and FFA members across the state! Some of these great memories come from this past week. On Monday I had the opportunity to attend and speak at the Heritage FFA Chapter Banquet, a chapter near my hometown, and a chapter that I have grown close to over the past year! At their banquet I had the honor to deliver a keynote address to the members and guests about "Confidence". The next night my teammates and I went out for a fun-filled evening to relax and bond as a team. Our first stop of the evening was SkyZone, an indoor building full of trampolines where we jumped, laughed, and dodged each other....p.s. no one was injured....then we headed over  to Applebee's for dinner. On Wednesday and Friday I found myself behind the wheel of my pick-up truck traveling North to the North Judson San Pierre banquet, and Traveling East to the Randolph Central FFA chapter banquets. These were two outstanding banquets, that really showed how much their communities support FFA and the agriculture industry. After my banquet at Randolph Central I traveled back across the state to Purdue University where the Indiana FFA State Dairy, Poultry, and Livestock CDE's were held! All day Saturday you could find the state officers running cards, tabulating scores, and passing out awards! Although it was a very long day, I am still amazed by the time, hard work, and dedication the advisers, members, and coaches put into the contests! As you can tell we have been very busy this past week, and will continue to be in the weeks to come prior to our 84th Indiana FFA State Convention! "Although you may outgrow the jacket, you will never outgrow the experience!"

From FFA: Following the Future of Agriculture

Tis the Season for Banquets!

I have been having a complete blast driving around the state of Indiana attending FFA banquets! All of them have been outstanding. I love seeing FFA members rewarded for their hard work. From witnessing members receive their Greenhand Degrees, Chapter Degrees, and Hoosier Degree Chains to seeing FFA members receive special awards like Star Greenhand and Star Chapter Farmer, it never fails to be a special moment. I had the opportunity to go back to my home chapter's banquet where I was reminded that this is where it all starts for every FFA member; it starts at your home chapter. We learn and grow and become exemplary leaders through the help of our advisors, family, and fellow members. With the school year coming to a close, don't forget to thank your advisors for all that they do for you as an FFA member! The state officer team cannot wait to see you all at convention!   Pictured above are members from the McCutcheon FFA Chapter of District IV at their annual awards banquet! Great job McCutcheon!

Today's Candidates, Tomorrow's Leaders

As I sit here in the office of the State Officer house typing out this blog post way too early for a Sunday morning, the countdown to Impact FFA clock reads 54 days and 20 of Indiana FFA's finest are still fast asleep across the way in the lodge. These 20 people have made the decision to be State Officer Candidates (SOCs) and yesterday helped with Spring CDE's, sat in on the State Executive Committee Meeting, and today will attend the State Officer Candidate open house with their parents and advisors to learn what their journey will entail. It is truly an exciting time, yet surreal to think back to the time only a year ago when my six teammates and I were in their shoes, wondering if the next year would bring our freshman year of college, or a whirl wind adventure serving the Indiana FFA Association. On behalf of the current State Officer team and members everywhere, good luck SOCs!

From FFA: Following the Future of Agriculture

Banquet Season is Here!

Not only is warm weather here, so is banquet season! I hope you all enjoyed your spring break's and didn't let a single moment pass you by! I recently attended my first banquet of the year with the LaVille FFA Chapter. The night was an overall success and the food was delicious! It was great to see what the chapter had accomplished this year, and what their future goals are for the chapter! I cannot wait to attend several more banquets this spring! You all, FFA members, parents, sponsors and supporters are what make being a State Officer so amazing. Seeing the collaboration put forth by all of you is truly inspirational. When we all come together, we accomplish great things and leave our footprint in FFA history. Don't take a single minute for granted at your chapter banquet. Soak in everything, be thankful for what you have, congratulate those around you, reflect on your past year, and look forward to the future because you are going places!

From FFA: Following the Future of Agriculture

Ag Proud

Hello everyone! Today holds a special place in The National FFA Organization's heart; today is National Ag Day! It's been great to read all of the tweets and Facebook posts about agriculture. We encourage you to use the hash tag of #AgProud. The Indiana FFA state officer team challenges all of us to remember that we should educate and AGvocate everyday not just on National Ag Day! It's important to share our stories of how agriculture has impacted us. Hand in hand with the celebration of National Ag Day, the state officers have been promoting March as Agricultural Appreciation month in Indiana. The state officers went to a legislative luncheon declaring March as Agricultural Appreciation month, and I even had the opportunity to read the Governor's official proclamation! In addition, Katherine and I went to an Ag Day breakfast at our home county. Farmers and agricultural supporters came to receive a sausage and pancake breakfast, county citizens were inducted into the county's agricultural hall of fame for their hard work, and children spent the afternoon learning about various agricultural topics! It looks like spring is off to a great start! :)

Speaking at the Putnam County Ag Day Breakfast!

From FFA: Following the Future of Agriculture

Embracing Every Moment

The tragic events that have happened recently are close to the heart, but for many, including me this has served as major wake up call. No one ever knows when their time will come to leave this world, but what we can control is the way we treat others right now. Do the ones you care about know how much you love them? Think about one person who has done so much for you... That person is always there for you and no matter what time of day it is you can call them with your problems… I challenge each and every one of you to stop what you are doing for five minutes and call that one person who popped into your head. Tell them how special they are to you because you never know what tomorrow may have in store for you. Now I have to go and make a call. Have a wonderful day!

From FFA: Following the Future of Agriculture

Here, There, Everywhere!

What a week! To say that I had fun this past week would be quite an understatement. I had a blast! During FFA Week 2013, the state officers were assigned FFA districts to travel around, and I was lucky enough to receive Districts I and IV. Throughout the week, I was fortunate enough to visit Lebanon Middle School to give recruitment presentations, Tri-County to enjoy a movie and the best rib eyes east of the Mississippi, Southmont to enjoy a pizza lunch for their members, Benton Central to play a little dodgeball, Western Boone to help out with their teacher breakfast, McCutcheon to witness their ABC's of Agriculture, North Newton for a recruitment convocation, and finally William Henry Harrison for their elementary petting zoo. Whew! What a week. It was awesome to see how your chapter celebrated FFA week and to spend time with your chapter. Until next time, 

From FFA: Following the Future of Agriculture