Sunday afternoons on RFD-TV are home to the “FFA Today” show in which FFA members from across the country share the story of their chapter with Janet Adkison. Today, Adkison wears a blue FFA alumni and supporters blazer, but it wasn’t long ago when she donned her corduroy as a member of the Houston FFA Chapter in Missouri.
Q: Tell us about your FFA experience.
A: I started in FFA my freshman year. My dad and brother were both in the organization, and I followed in their footsteps. I got involved immediately by memorizing the FFA Creed. That was the first time I tried to memorize anything, and I remember it to this day. In fact, we recorded something for “FFA Today” recently and I could still say it! While I didn’t compete, it made me more comfortable with public speaking. And it paid off. The thing I draw back on even more so was livestock judging. I hated giving reasons, but thinking on your feet and being concise and to the point are lessons I’ve used more than I would have ever thought.
Q: How did your experiences in FFA prepare you for your role as a news anchor?
A: First, FFA is good at getting you out of your comfort zone. I competed in sports, but you don’t really get to build a relationship with people who are on the other side of the ball. When you compete in contests or go to leadership seminars, you get to meet other people and like-minded students from your area. You learn what their chapters are doing, and you build friendships with people outside of your current hub. You grow, learn and do and then apply that to your professional career.
I also use FFA as an example of being involved in an organization both as a student and an adult. The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) is like my FFA for adult life. You learn from each other. You share life and career experience.
Q: What advice would you give to current FFA members?
A: You hear it often, and there is a reason for that – you get out what you put in. If you step forward to participate and let your voice be heard, then you are going to get more interaction back. You must take that first step on your journey to your future.
