Jake Traylor (right) served as Texas FFA president in 2016-17.
Jake Traylor had plans to study business at Texas A&M University following graduation from Gilmer High School in Gilmer, Texas. Then he learned he was selected to serve as the 2016-17 Texas FFA president.
As a Texas FFA state officer, Traylor took a gap year before starting college. By the end of his term, Traylor had met with FFA members in 317 schools. He had also found his calling: connecting people and helping them gain a better understanding of the world around them.
Inspired by what he learned in his year of service to Texas FFA, Traylor added a journalism minor to his business major at Texas A&M. Now he works for NBC News as a production assistant for Today in New York City.
Traylor shares six of the lessons he learned as a state FFA officer that have helped him get to where he is today.
- Good storytelling is powerful.
Agriculture has a good story, Traylor says, and his time as a state FFA officer taught him how to be a steward of that story. It starts with being truthful and showing good intentions.
- Very little about FFA (and life) is about “me.”
It is important to be a team player and work with others toward shared goals, Traylor says. Serving on a state officer team is a great way to learn this lesson, but so can participating on an FFA contest team.
- Agricultural knowledge will serve you well no matter your career path.
Although Traylor does not work in agriculture today, he says his background allows him to advocate for agriculture in the middle of Manhattan, N.Y. It also makes him a better, more informed citizen.
- Though diverse, we are similar.
Traylor spent the night in more than 150 homes during his state officer travels. He noticed similarities among all people. Regardless of age, geographic location, race or socioeconomic background, people just want to be heard and seen, Traylor says.
- FFA mentors are the best mentors.
No organization can match the mentorship FFA provides, Traylor says. He says he would not be where he is today without the support and guidance of his FFA advisors and state staff.
- Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
There is no safer place to fail than in FFA, Traylor says. Traylor encourages FFA members to say “yes” to opportunities to travel, run for office and participate in activities to learn more about yourself and what you want to do professionally. “Buy in while you can,” Traylor says. “I promise you won’t regret it.”
