The 95th National FFA Convention and Expo brought members from across the country, many of whom planned to attend months in advance. For members in Kentucky, Florida and Puerto Rico, natural disasters made the decision to attend this year was a much harder choice.
On July 28, 2022, the central Appalachia floods left a record-breaking water level of 21 feet in Kentucky.
Hurricane Fiona landed on Sept. 19 and left more than 900,000 Puerto Ricans without power and roughly 358,000 without water.
Then Hurricane Ian hit the coast of Florida on Sept. 28, leaving behind $75 billion in damage.
Water, an element agriculturalists rely so heavily on, was now upturning the lives of many.
“I underestimated how scary the storm was going to actually be,” said Jackson Gant of the Charlotte Senior FFA Chapter in Florida. “Sitting there watching oak tree limbs fly in the wind at 100-plus miles an hour was quite terrifying.”
As the storms rolled through, FFA members were overwhelmed with questions. “We didn’t know if our pastures were OK or if all of our major roadways were destroyed due to flooding,” said Florida’s Ben Hooker. “A lot of us that raise or show livestock didn’t know if we were going to be able to get feed.”
“I lost my farm, about 80% of what I had, and I lost our three vehicles. It was a very difficult time, because that’s my full-time job and all of my work and sacrifices,” said Duanel Martinez, Puerto Rico state FFA vice president.
FFA members from the affected areas not only lost childhood homes, supervised agricultural experience (SAE) projects, greenhouses, farms and livestock, but they were also faced with the possibility of losing the opportunity to attend national convention.
“There was a time when I thought to myself, ‘I’m not so sure we’re going to be able to swing it.” said Taylor Masters, advisor for the Breathitt County FFA in Kentucky.
Members were left with the burden of replacing official dress apparel. Greenhouses used for fundraising were no longer standing. Communities that financially supported chapters had little to give.
Kathryn Crank from the Breathitt County FFA summed it up: “It’s really hard to ask people to sponsor us or to fundraise for us because no one has anything anymore.”
However, what members sought to gain from convention became more important than what their communities had lost. Chapters from other areas, organizations, parents and friends came together to give members a break from reality. The members are grateful.
“After suffering through a natural disaster, it can be a little tough at times, but you know, it gives everybody a good, nice little break from what’s going on,” said Kentucky’s Brady Coomer. “Being able to come here to talk about and do what we love [has been good].”
“Even though we’ve suffered through a hurricane, we are glad that we have been given this opportunity to share our story and share our leadership skills,” added Florida’s Cody Powell.
“Even though we’re hurting, and we want to be there helping others, we know that by being here, we’re advocating for them,” said Puerto Rico State FFA Sentinel Patricia Le Santa.
If you are struggling with any situation, big or small, Charlotte Senior FFA advisor Deanna Thompson offers this advice: “Don’t feel guilty about reaching out. It’s hard to ask for help, and you feel guilty about it, but they don’t mind and they’re there to help. And if I could do it again, I wouldn’t have been scared to ask.”
