During the FFA convention, these four FFA members signed letters of intent to teach agriculture. Pictured left to right: Sarah Beth McLamb, Millbrock FFA of North Carolina; Luke Guynn, Thompson FFA of Colorado; Cambrie Lane, Easton Valley FFA of Iowa; and Miranda Depenbusch, Udall FFA of Kansas.
INDIANAPOLIS – By choice, not by chance. They believe in American agriculture, and they are dedicating their lives to its development and the advancement of its people by becoming agriculture educators.
Thanks to a partnership between CHS Incorporated and the National Teach Ag Campaign, FFA members who are heading off to college to study agricultural education are receiving some special recognition at the 90th National FFA Convention & Expo.
Similar to what a future collegiate athlete would do, future agriculture educators are signing letters of intent at the Teach Ag booth at the National FFA Expo. They are supported in celebration by their own FFA advisors, fellow chapter members and representatives from the college they will attend.
“We want future teachers to feel that teaching agriculture is worth celebrating,” noted Ellen Thompson, project director for the National Teach Ag Campaign.
Over 20 FFA members are signing their letters of intent during convention and received framed certificates commemorating their decisions. Each also had the chance to give a short statement as to why they chose their future career.
“I decided to teach agriculture because of my own advisor–she changed my life,” said signee Miranda Depenbusch of the Udall FFA Chapter in Kansas.
“My time in FFA inspired me to teach agriculture, and I’m looking forward to more,” noted Luke Guynn of the Thompson FFA Chapter in Colorado. Both Depenbusch and Guynn are planning to attend Kansas State University.
CHS Incorporated is a dedicated supporter of both FFA and the National Teach Ag Campaign, and they are proud to sponsor both organizations.
“We are training the future of agriculture and are happy to do so,” remarked Tera Fair, communications specialist for CHS.
For more information on the National Teach Ag Campaign, visit naae.org/teachag. Visit CHS at chsinc.com.
Abby Marion is a senior at the University of Florida studying agricultural education and communications. An alumnus of the Florida FFA Association, Marion is serving as a reporter for the 90th National FFA Convention & Expo Newsroom Crew.
