As National FFA Officers, we travel across the country for much of our year, delivering workshops and keynote addresses and interacting with our fellow members. While this is the part of our positions that everyone gets to see, what often isn’t always visible is the preparation and training before we part ways and hit the road.
The 2022-23 national officer team spent the month of January developing and practicing our workshops and keynotes. The culmination of this month of training is known to us as Experience Week, where we traveled to Florida to practice the content we developed and kick off our journey of meeting members across the country.
Our team began the week in Miami, Fla., where we visited six FFA chapters. These chapters were all part of magnet programs, meaning they have an agricultural science program that students must apply to. Then, we ended the week in Okeechobee, Fla., where we stopped at the high and middle schools.
While this week was full of growth in our speaking and workshop facilitation skills, what stood out to us were the students. Each moment and interaction held a different student’s story and passion for agricultural education, opportunity and growth.
National FFA President Andrew Seibel: At Okeechobee High School, I met Jenna, a sophomore member who wants to follow in her sister’s footsteps by attending the University of Florida and potentially even pursuing a State FFA Officer position. She has a passion for agriculture and is helping continue to build the strong tradition that is their FFA chapter.
National FFA Secretary Jess Herr: On our visit to Kennedy Middle School, I met a sweet girl named Jazmin. We talked all morning long and discovered that we both serve as secretaries! Jazmin proudly showed me the school animals she takes care of. Her dream is to one day be a farmer — and the skills she is learning while wearing a blue FFA jacket allow her to work toward that big dream.
Western Region Vice President Ryan Williamson: I found a new friend in Dayana from Redland Middle School. She is her chapter’s president, and what stood out most to me about Dayana is her passion for progress. She’s only in eighth grade, but she has already found success in the parliamentary procedure contest and serves as a role model for the other students in her chapter—it was amazing to see this in action.
Southern Region Vice President MacKenna Clifton: At Okeechobee High School, I met my new friend, Eloise! She is a foreign exchange student from Belgium. During our time together, I was inspired by Eloise’s adventurous spirit. We chatted about the various countries she had traveled to and how she was nervous but thrilled about her new adventure of attending high school for a year in Florida. I truly admire the courage she has and the beauty she sees in everyday life!
Central Region Vice President Karstyn Cantrell: Miami FFA member Salvador shared his love for beef cattle and the agricultural education program in a way that was unmatched. Salvador’s market steer, Toby, is his prized possession which he works with day and night preparing for the annual show season. Toby the steer is more than a supervised agricultural experience for Salvador; it is a sign of hard work, dedication and passion.
Eastern Region Vice President Gracie Murphy: At Turner Technical Arts High School, I met Victoria. She moved to America from Venezuela when she was a little girl. What inspired me most about Victoria is she never lets her challenges define her. She takes care of her steer at school, which has opened so many doors for her in agriculture, and treats everyone she meets with respect.
If experience week was just a taste of the year to come, our team couldn’t be more excited for the journey we are about to embark on. Next, our team is spending 10 days in South Africa to learn about international agriculture and agricultural education. Once we return to the United States, we will hit the road for National FFA Week and start visiting state conventions!
To learn more, follow us on social media!
Andrew IG: https://www.instagram.com/nffapresident/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/NFFAPresident
Jessica: IG: https://www.instagram.com/nffa_secretary/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/NFFASecretary/
Karstyn IG: https://www.instagram.com/nffacvp/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/NFFACentralVP/
Ryan IG: https://www.instagram.com/nffa_wvp/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/NFFAWesternVP/
MacKenna IG: https://www.instagram.com/nffa_svp/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/NFFASouthernVP/
Gracie: IG: https://www.instagram.com/nffaevp/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/NFFAEasternVP/
