A Week to Remember - FFA Week 2014

As many of the followers of the Indiana FFA may know the week of February 15-22, my teammates and I celebrated National FFA Week. As we prepared for FFA week I spent a lot of time reminiscing on all of the great memories that I had made during FFA Week throughout high school. My high school FFA Weeks were some of the best weeks I had during high school and I was so excited that I had the chance to spend another year celebrating as a member. One of my favorite FFA week activities in high school was Tractor Day. My senior year my great friend, Harlee and I rode my Dad's cab-less Case IH Tractor to school on one of the coldest winter days… I still remember jamming to Florida Georgia Line's famous song 'Cruise'! 

Harlee and I after we made it to the school my senior FFA week!

I was blessed to spend National FFA week in Northeast, Indiana within some of District II, III, and VI. Not having any idea of what to expect, my schedule quickly filled with speaking engagements, classroom sessions, and various activities that chapters were hosting. At the beginning of FFA week, I was honored to introduce Governor Mike Pence at the Indiana Leadership Prayer Breakfast! It is so hard to select my favorite memory from such a fantastic week.

Throughout this blog find pictures and quotes from the Indiana FFA State Officers with highlights from our National FFA Week experience.

Ethan McNeely the State Southern Region Vice-President said that "the Monday of FFA week was absolutely amazing for me! We met at the Indiana State Department of Agriculture with its new director, Ted McKinney, and other ISDA staff before meeting with Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann. While in the Lt. Governor’s office, we discussed our upcoming project based on promoting agricultural education as STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Afterward, we had a luncheon with ISDA staff and some of the Lieutenant Governor’s Cabinet. Throughout we mingled, and interviewed with Hoosier Ag Today. At the time, I had no idea my interview on the Lt. Governor and State Officer Project would end up being shared on Facebook by Dr. Marcos Fernandez, Associate Dean and Director of Academic Programs at Purdue University. It was so exciting to see our work to advocate for agricultural education at the state house beginning to spread amongst others!" Ethan spent his FFA Week in Central Indiana. 

On Monday of FFA Week, the Indiana FFA State Officers were also presented with a Resolution declaring it National FFA Week in Indiana by the House of Representatives. Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Affairs was quoted saying that the “Indiana FFA plays a very important role in Hoosier agriculture as it prepares new generations of leaders in this vital part of our state’s economy.” 

Shelby with the Tri-County FFA Chapter for Euchre Night!

Shelby Sigman the Indiana FFA State Reporter spent her FFA week in District I and parts of District II. Amongst spending the week in Northern Indiana, Shelby participated in numerous chapter events. Shelby and I were even fortunate enough to go skiing with the Tri-County FFA chapter on Saturday of FFA Week. 

Rebekah Frey the Indiana FFA State Northern Region Vice-President's FFA week was spent in District V and VI. Rebekah stayed busy facilitating chapter visits, petting zoos, and various planned FFA activities at many schools in central and northern Indiana. 

Rebekah bowling with the Norwell FFA Chapter! 

FFA Week was the first time our team had been completely on our own to travel from school to school and to present classroom curriculum. Thankfully chapter visits and district kick-offs which we did in pairs in the fall were good practice in preparation for a very busy but amazing FFA Week for the Indiana FFA State Officer team. Kayla spent her FFA week in Districts XII and most of District XI. The pictures and captions below are from Kayla's National FFA Week! 

"I spent my Tuesday helping the East Central FFA educate their school about animal agriculture. All the animals,  which included goats, sheep, calves, piglets, rabbits, and chickens, were brought in by FFA members. Even though Keith's calves kept trying to milk my hand,  I had a blast hanging out with this chapter and their school! After the Broken Bucket Basketball tournament between Hope FFA and Columbus FFA on Wednesday evening, a group of the Columbus young ladies invited me to eat supper with them. These girls found one of the ways to my heart: they took me to eat Mexican! They also earned a place in my heart from all the gut wrenching laughs we shared that night! Thursday night, the Batesville FFA hosted a 'gun' show! Not really. It was was a hay bale throwing contest. I was pretty proud of my 8 ft throw, even though the longest throw of the day was twice that. After the contest I got the opportunity to chat with and get to know their skilled officer team." - Kayla Hoenert, Indiana FFA State Secretary

District X hosted Cameron during FFA week! 



"FFA week has been one of my favorite memories of this year. It may 
have been because of the amazing people, the awesome food or maybe the 
fact that it was a time that validated what I want to do for the rest 
of my life. During my classroom visits I felt a sense of ease and 
excitement. FFA Week 2014 made me that much more  excited to become an 
Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor. Thank you to everyone who I had 
the opportunity to meet during FFA week and for making it EPIC!" - Cameron Frazier, Indiana FFA State Treasurer

Sarah spent her FFA week in Districts IV and VII! Below Sarah shares her favorite FFA memory. 

"My favorite FFA memory during FFA Week would have to be spending the entire day with the McCutcheon FFA Chapter for their ABC's of Agriculture petting zoo.  I had a lot of fun hanging out with the members and taking pictures of all the groups of elementary students that participated.  I also really enjoyed spending time after school hours with the members, where they took me to the igloo for the very first time where I enjoyed a delicious vanilla coke. A day filled full of friends, fellowship, and advocating agriculture; it was perfect!" - Sarah Dirksen, Indiana FFA State Sentinel

It was great spending a week traveling across the State visiting with passionate Indiana FFA members. I was thoroughly impressed by all of the FFA week events that I went to, it was evident that our members bleed blue and gold. My FFA Week came to an end by partaking in a long time tradition with the North Miami FFA Chapter... church, lunch at Pizza Hut, and laser tagging! It was a great way to reflect, unwind, and have a great deal of fun before heading south to head back to the Indiana FFA Leadership Center. 

Attending church with over 45 North Miami FFA members.

My teammates and I collectively visited over 75 Indiana FFA Chapters and traveled 6,888 miles throughout the state. FFA week was one of the best weeks of my life and I am truly thankful that I had the opportunity to spend it with Indiana FFA members in Northeast Indiana!





Forever bleeding National Blue & Corn Gold, 





Allie Abney

Indiana FFA State President

2013-2014