Indianapolis, Ind.(Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025) –The 2024-25 National FFA Officer Team recently returned from the National FFA Officers International Experience Program (NOIEP) in Japan, where they experienced Japanese culture and agriculture in partnership with sister organization Future Farmers of Japan (FFJ). This annual trip provides National FFA Officers the chance to experience firsthand how agriculture transcends geographical boundaries and strengthen a partnership that dates back to 1950.

The NOIEP develops the national officers’ language skills, business practices, and communication techniques to build cross-cultural cooperation while providing an opportunity for them to practice peer leadership on an international scale, explore the complexities and implications of agriculture as part of the international landscape, and expand their cultural competency through reflected and guided instruction.

TOKYO, KYOTO, HIROSHIMA, AND KAGOSHIMA
Throughout their ten-day trip from Jan. 25-Feb. 5, the six student leaders engaged in a variety of experiences, including:

• A traditional tea ceremony and green tea factory tour,
• Aeon Shinagawa Seaside and Aeon Supermarket,
• briefings with Minister Counselor Jeanne Bailey, Agricultural Attachés Erica Summe and Craig Elliott, and Agricultural Assistant Akiko Satake at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo,
• meetings with FFJ students at Tokyo Metropolitan Engei High School,
• a bamboo forest,
• traditional Japanese garden and stately home designated a World Heritage Site,
• Miyajima Cattle Farm, an F1 Hybrid cattle farm with over 1,000 F1 cows,
• and the Japan Plant Factory Association where they work to develop and disseminate sustainable systems that can address global challenges.

“As I travel across the country and around the world as part of this incredible organization, I am consistently reminded that agriculture is a common thread bringing us all together,” said National FFA Eastern Region Vice President Caroline Groth. “We have more in common than we have differences, and although the world is expansive and diverse and agricultural and cultural practices differ from place to place, we’re all working toward the same goal of making our families, communities, and world better.”

Each fall at the National FFA Convention & Expo, the National FFA Organization selects six student members to represent the organization as National FFA Officers. The primary responsibility of a national officer is to serve the organization in local, state, national and international activities in a way that will inform, motivate and inspire FFA members, advisors, state staff, teachers and others to achieve the mission, strategies and core goals of the organization. The officers will share knowledge gained from their experience in Japan with state chapter members, including during National FFA Week (February 15-22), during which they will travel across the country to meet with state representatives.

2024-25 FFA NATIONAL OFFICER TEAM
President: Thaddeus Bergschneider, Illinois
Secretary: Luke Jennings, Ohio
Eastern Region Vice President: Caroline Groth, Kentucky
Central Region Vice President: Mary Schrieber, Wisconsin
Southern Region Vice President: Jack Lingenfelter, Georgia
Western Region Vice President: Abigale Jacobsen, California

“Joining the National FFA Officer Team for their International Experience Program to Japan this year was an incredible opportunity to see the power of FFA in action,” said Skylar Clingan, Program Specialist – National Officer Coach for the National FFA Organization. “Our student leaders were able to engage in international relations and cultural exchanges and gain a larger understanding of agriculture as a global industry. I’m excited for these young adults to continue growing and advocating for agriculture.”

National officers dedicate one year of service to the organization. During this time, they represent student membership during meetings with the National FFA Board of Directors, facilitate workshops that bring leadership and knowledge to FFA members, deliver motivational speeches, and serve as advocates for FFA on a global scale.

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 1,027,200 student members as part of 9,235 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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About National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 1,027,200 student members as part of 9,235 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org and on Facebook and Twitter.

About National FFA Foundation
The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations, and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders, and support the future of agricultural education. Governed by a 19-member board of trustees composed of educators, business leaders, individual donors and FFA Alumni, the foundation is a separately registered nonprofit organization. About 82 percent of every dollar received by the foundation supports FFA members and agricultural education opportunities. For more, visit FFA.org/Give.