“FFA is so much more than stock shows and contests. Agriculture Education was my first real exposure to the agricultural industry. I was able to take what I learned in the classroom and apply it to the real world, which is not the case for other education models. This year I have been able to serve the Washington FFA Association as a state officer. This opportunity has allowed me to travel the country learning and teaching others about agriculture, leadership and career readiness. While I could probably write a novel of all the lessons I have learned over the past several years in the blue jacket, the biggest thing that…

“I’m proud to be a fourth generation FFA member. I have been involved in the FFA program for 6 years now and I’ve had the privilege to compete in numerous CDEs; such as Livestock Judging, FBM, and Ag Sales. I’ve also been able to attend the National FFA Convention where I competed in Agronomy and our team placed 12th in the nation. All these competitions have given me skills that I will need for the rest of my life. As a senior, I am currently serving as Lind Ritzville’s FFA president and the District 9 FFA Treasurer. I have been exhibiting market steers at county fairs since I was 9.…

“I’m the sentinel of the Prosser FFA chapter, this year I’m a sophomore at Prosser High school! This is my second year in FFA and I’m falling in love with agriculture more and more every day! It has taught me so much about being who I am and putting my all in everything I do! Last year I had the privilege of attending the National FFA convention representing Washington in competing for Novice Parliamentary Procedure in which we placed 3rd! I joined FFA thanks to my older brother paving the path for me as well as showing me the joy of rising and showing cattle! I have come to fall in…

“I have been an FFA member the past 5 years. I am currently the Vice- President of the Lind-Ritzville FFA Chapter and previously was the Sentinel the year before. I have been to state convention in sales and knowledge bowl. Every year that I have been an FFA member I compete in livestock judging also. One of the biggest parts of FFA for me is showing cattle in an FFA jacket. I have been showing cattle for as long as I can remember and continue to still show cattle. I do jackpots year round and then when it comes to fair time I get to do what I love in…

“I’ve said before, “If you could lead it, I showed it…” It was the natural progression of things to grow from a 4-H kid to an FFA kid.   One season at the Grant County fair I showed two different species; one for 4-H and one for FFA. I loved to show partially because I love animals and partially because I am crazy competitive.  My sister and I spent a lot of time with our animals teaching them what they needed to know and grooming them. That season I showed a black, Suffolk lamb in FFA and, ironically, a Charolais Heifer in the 4-H Beef show- nothing like bucking the…

 “This is my first year in FFA; I am a part of novice parli, which is a group for only freshmen. I am learning about agriculture responsibility, which any FFA member should possess. I like learning about animals more than anything. Right now I show sheep during the fair. I believe FFA will teach me leadership and public speaking. I enjoy doing a lot of fun things with my friends in FFA and I look forward to the next few years.” Behind the scenes with agri.CULTURE … @patreon.com/agriculturepeople

“I’m a senior at Kiona-Benton high school, and this is my second year as the chapter president. I joined FFA my freshman year, and since then my passion for agriculture and the FFA grows more each day. I love getting the opportunity to lead through the organization, and I definitely feel as if being in FFA has taught me to be a better leader. Throughout my four years in FFA, I’ve participated in multiple CDE’s, parliamentary procedure being my favorite, and I also show pigs! Working with animals has always been something I love to do, as well as working with others. My favorite line of the FFA motto is…

“I am a freshman and part of the novice parli team. There are seven of us and we learn how to run a meeting, like opening a meeting and the proper procedures. We all have separate responsibilities and we learn how to work together. I also show sheep and chickens. Last year I won the Round Robin showing my chicken.  Most people don’t know how to show a chicken, but basically you set them on a table and you have to set them up. You have to work with the chicken all year to get them tame and used to people. I have to answer a range of poultry related…

“I am a freshman; this is my third year in FFA. I have been able to go to the state horse judging contest and also some livestock judging. I have been to leadership conferences too. This year I will be able to show my pig at the fair for the first time in FFA. The last few years I have been showing pigs as a 4-H member. My summers are busy; I also participate in junior rodeos. I love my horse! I am break-away roping, running barrels, and poles and last year I placed 2nd in Washington State in Goat tying.” Behind the scenes with agri.CULTURE … @patreon.com/agriculturepeople

“I am an Ag Teacher, as is my husband, Nathan. Our two boys grew up in FFA and 4H, and my youngest son is currently serving as a Washington State FFA Officer. My profession has opened many doors for my children, students, my husband and myself.  I cannot imagine doing anything else. Days are never dull when you start your day teaching animal science and end it with plant science—throw in physical science in agriculture and Ag biology and it keeps you on your toes.  My boys, Lane and Luke, have learned first-hand what it takes to succeed in the agriculture industry, and they understand that even with hard work…