At FFA, we believe that what we grow changes how the world grows.
The Forever Blue Network is about reconnecting with those who made a difference in your life, reaching out to those you can impact now and finding a new world of opportunities. As a result, our series Five Questions explores the lives of Forever Blue Network members.
This month’s Five Questions features Sherri Gress. Sherri is a doctor of veterinary medicine working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service in Amarillo, Texas.
Q1: Tell us how FFA made an impact on your life.
Sherri: FFA is where I developed many of the skills I use every day. I gained leadership skills from serving in officer positions and attending the Washington Leadership Conference; public speaking skills from parliamentary procedure and FFA Creed contests; and decision-making and critical-reasoning skills from dairy judging and my supervised agricultural experiences. I also met some of my closest friends through FFA and have some of my fondest memories from traveling to state and national conventions, serving together as officers, and from all the fun extracurricular activities we participated in together.
Q2: What made you decide your career path?
Sherri: Growing up on a dairy farm, I knew I wanted to work with cattle and farmers for a career. I also wanted to help change the industry for the better. I have found that being a veterinarian and working in regulatory medicine has been the most effective way for me to do just that. There are so many different paths that you can take as a veterinarian, and I think it has been the perfect fit for me.
Q3: What is your favorite FFA memory?
Sherri: I have so many great memories; it’s hard to choose just one. I think any time we traveled together for a contest or convention, we all became closer as friends and as a team. The dances at convention were always a highlight, as well as the bus rides to get to and from wherever we were headed.
Q4: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Sherri: Teleportation! I developed a love of travel from all the trips I took while in FFA. It would be incredible to be able to travel anywhere, anytime, and visit all my friends and family instantaneously.
Q5: Do you have a hobby? What do you like to do during your free time?
Sherri: I love to travel! (Even if it isn’t as instantaneous as teleportation.) My best friend, who I was in FFA with, and I love to take road trips and vacations together all over the U.S. and Mexico. I also love to read, which is a form of travel all by itself. I am also a new mom, which keeps me busy all the time now.
If you would like to be considered for an upcoming Five Questions, email Joanne Sergi, jsergi@ffa.org, with your request.
