In 1970, Wayne Humphreys traveled from his home in Winfield, Iowa, to attend the National FFA Convention in Kansas City, Mo. It was also the year he was elected National FFA central region vice president for 1970-71.
Fast forward 50 years later, and we were able to catch up with Humphreys to find out what he’s been doing and where he’s been since his time as a national officer.
“The time as a national officer was a profound personal and professional experience,” he says.
And it was his FFA experience that helped lead him on the path to a successful career.
Humphreys continues, “As my wife and I grew our farming business, I also became a professional speaker. Having made over 2,000 presentations throughout the country, I was recognized by the National Speakers Association as a Certified Speaking Professional. Speaking also created the opportunity to serve agriculture as a spokesperson on many international trade teams as I served on the board of directors for the Iowa Corn Board and the U.S. Grains Council.”
He adds as an aside, “Knowing parliamentary procedure certainly helps conduct business regardless of the size of the organization!”
Like many FFA members, Humphreys credits his advisor for much of his education. Also like many members, he came to understand but also appreciate the toils and the rewards of agricultural life.
“FFA and my very young advisor taught me about building strong foundations and delayed gratification, he says. “You prepare for one contest at a time. You drive the farm pickup instead of buying a car so you can afford another bred heifer. You study to get academic scholarships. You work hard at the first job not for the money but for the recommendation for the next job.”
The knowledge and the skills were integral to Humphrey’s life, which has come full circle.
“At the end of my career; after farming through the ag crisis of the 1980s, after traveling to 35 countries, after logging almost 3 million air miles, I find myself living in the same community where I grew up,” he explains. “Southeast Iowa is grain and livestock country and has always been a wonderful place to start a journey and a welcoming place to come home to. I am now retired from day-to-day production agriculture but still involved in our farm and other business investments.”
