For me, FFA was never an “if”; it was always a “when.”
My brother helped charter my home FFA chapter, and I remember watching him put on the iconic blue jacket. I thought it was so special. Before him, my dad was extremely involved in FFA in high school. I knew I wanted to carry on my family’s dedication to this incredible organization by becoming a member.
My involvement in FFA, formerly known as Future Farmers of America, looked a little different than I had imagined initially — from seventh grade to senior year, I had four different agriculture teachers leading our chapter. When the fourth teacher took the job, I was given the opportunity to test my coaching skills by showing her the ins and outs of our chapter. This opportunity to work closely with my chapter advisor helped shape me and my decision to pursue a career as an ag teacher.
FFA is all about connecting people from different backgrounds and different places. While FFA has always been a part of my family, when you zip up the blue jacket, you’re part of a different, bigger family, connecting old to new, across generations.
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I’ve had the opportunity to feel the connection to the blue jacket across the country, allowing me to share this organization with others outside my home chapter. One of my favorite parts of being a National Officer and serving this incredible organization has been connecting students not involved with FFA to it. When I was in elementary school, before I was able to be in FFA, I vividly remember competing in the FFA chapter’s coloring competition — and winning!
While I don’t participate in the coloring contest anymore, I still find ways to connect with people outside FFA. Through FFA, the number one skill I’ve learned is advocacy. I’ve been fortunate enough to use my voice and my platform to advocate for production agriculture with industry partners and, in turn, share my findings with FFA members. Now, I have the incredible opportunity to be a voice and advocate for an organization special to me as a National Officer.
Whether it’s FFA or something else, I encourage students and FFA members to find their voice and be an advocate for what they believe in.
Claire Woeppel is the National FFA Central Region vice president.