Kaitlyn Tyler speeds through her plug planting process. Photo courtesy of Kaitlyn Tyler.
In 2014, Parkside CTE FFA member Dayquan Williams planted 2,122 plugs (young seedlings ready to be moved into larger containers) in one hour, breaking a Guinness World Record.
Last year, Kaitlyn Tyler, a member of the same Maryland chapter, attempted to beat this record. Although Guinness World Records didn’t validate her attempt, Tyler hasn’t stopped dreaming big; she’s currently preparing for her second attempt later this year.
Whereas Williams used in-ground beds, Tyler chooses to plant her plugs in raised beds. To maximize her time, she focuses on speed and efficiency.
“It includes a lot of interval training,” she says. “When we hosted planting events, we set aside certain trays and timed individual sections to see what pace I was on for breaking the record.”
Tyler says being in FFA helped her adopt a service-focused mindset, which contributed to her record-breaking quest. “My intention [in breaking the record] was to benefit the school,” she says, adding that the flowers she planted add color to parking lots in her hometown.
When faced with challenges, Tyler reworked her objective to make her goal more attainable. “I’ve had plenty of opportunities where I have been let down by the results, but I am extremely grateful for this chance to try again,” she adds.
Tyler embraces her family and community supporters after her first attempt at breaking a record. Photo courtesy of Kaitlyn Tyler.
Through it all, Tyler has received tremendous support. “I had some friends come from their classes to cheer me on [when I tried to break the record], and my family members came, too,” she adds. “They were having fun and cracking jokes, so it was a good environment all around, which really helped.”
Take the First Step
Whether your goals are big, like breaking a world record, or smaller, like competing in a new Career or Leadership Development Event through FFA this year, Tyler says the most important step is to start.
“Find any small step you can and just start doing it,” she says. “As soon as you start, it will all get better from there.”
