As a senior in high school, I am surrounded by classmates who have only a vague idea of where they would like to go this upcoming fall or what they would like to do five years from now. For senior FFA members such as myself, FFA has allowed us to experience unique opportunities which focus on premier leadership, personal growth, and career success. These opportunities have developed us members into professional young individuals in agriculture.
Almost 11,000 FFA members call Minnesota home; 47 attend Litchfield public schools.
Each of us members are a part of a Career Development Event (CDE) and/or Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) to develop ourselves. CDEs focus on a certain aspect of a potential career in agriculture such as the Milk Quality contest, or on a leadership aspect like Parliamentary Procedure or Prepared Public Speaking. SAEs focus on the member’s individual development through experiences which fall under the following categories: Entrepreneurship, Placement, Research, and Exploratory.
Other leadership opportunities include being a part of officer teams at the chapter, region, state, and national levels. Leadership conferences are held year round at the region, state, and national levels to grow as an individual and an impactful leader. Opportunities to travel the state, country, and even the world are possible through FFA.
I am extremely grateful for the opportunities FFA has given me and some of my closest friends. This week, FFA members from across the state are attending Agriculture Policy Experience (APEx) in St. Paul, MN where they are learning a few of the in’s and out’s of Ag Policy in MN. I have attended this experience and it is one of my favorites. Other opportunities FFA has given me and many other FFA members include Washington Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. where we learned about service and it’s impact, and National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN where FFA members come together for four days, competing, learning, exploring new aspects of agriculture, and are recognized for all their outstanding work, and for a few select individuals, there is the possibility of serving as a voting delegate. Right now, the five of the current six MN State FFA Officers are spending time in South Africa learning about agriculture there.
A unique opportunity for Litchfield FFA members is the exchange program Litchfield FFA has with the Peanut Butter and Milk Committee (PBM). In November, five Litchfield FFA members had the chance to spend a week in Hartford, Alabama learning about agriculture in the deep south. Alabamians will be coming up to Minnesota in February, and we are very excited to host them!
FFA is not just for those involved in agriculture on a daily basis; FFA offers contests for just about anybody and the opportunities are ENDLESS. For me, FFA has open doors through the opportunities I have been granted and I am so grateful for that. In the fall of 2017, I plan to attend South Dakota State University (SDSU) majoring in Agricultural Education, Communications, and Leadership with a double emphasis in Communications and Leadership. FFA has given me direction as to which career path is right for me, and it can do the same for a multitude of students.
-Kylee Kohls, Litchfield High School Senior
Almost 11,000 FFA members call Minnesota home; 47 attend Litchfield public schools.
Each of us members are a part of a Career Development Event (CDE) and/or Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) to develop ourselves. CDEs focus on a certain aspect of a potential career in agriculture such as the Milk Quality contest, or on a leadership aspect like Parliamentary Procedure or Prepared Public Speaking. SAEs focus on the member’s individual development through experiences which fall under the following categories: Entrepreneurship, Placement, Research, and Exploratory.
Other leadership opportunities include being a part of officer teams at the chapter, region, state, and national levels. Leadership conferences are held year round at the region, state, and national levels to grow as an individual and an impactful leader. Opportunities to travel the state, country, and even the world are possible through FFA.
I am extremely grateful for the opportunities FFA has given me and some of my closest friends. This week, FFA members from across the state are attending Agriculture Policy Experience (APEx) in St. Paul, MN where they are learning a few of the in’s and out’s of Ag Policy in MN. I have attended this experience and it is one of my favorites. Other opportunities FFA has given me and many other FFA members include Washington Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. where we learned about service and it’s impact, and National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN where FFA members come together for four days, competing, learning, exploring new aspects of agriculture, and are recognized for all their outstanding work, and for a few select individuals, there is the possibility of serving as a voting delegate. Right now, the five of the current six MN State FFA Officers are spending time in South Africa learning about agriculture there.
A unique opportunity for Litchfield FFA members is the exchange program Litchfield FFA has with the Peanut Butter and Milk Committee (PBM). In November, five Litchfield FFA members had the chance to spend a week in Hartford, Alabama learning about agriculture in the deep south. Alabamians will be coming up to Minnesota in February, and we are very excited to host them!
FFA is not just for those involved in agriculture on a daily basis; FFA offers contests for just about anybody and the opportunities are ENDLESS. For me, FFA has open doors through the opportunities I have been granted and I am so grateful for that. In the fall of 2017, I plan to attend South Dakota State University (SDSU) majoring in Agricultural Education, Communications, and Leadership with a double emphasis in Communications and Leadership. FFA has given me direction as to which career path is right for me, and it can do the same for a multitude of students.
-Kylee Kohls, Litchfield High School Senior