By KYLIE SCHAKEL
Guest Columnist
After graduating from Hamilton Heights High School in June of 2020, I participated in one of the most rigorous interview rounds in hopes of being slated to serve as an Indiana FFA State Secretary. On June 18, 2020, I was slated and elected by a delegation of my peers to serve as the Indiana FFA State Secretary.
I reside in Trafalgar, Ind., at the Indiana FFA Leadership Center with my six other teammates. In a typical year, my teammates and I travel thousands of miles across the state speaking to local FFA chapters, developing partnerships with Indiana agribusinesses, meeting with government leaders and attending various events promoting the FFA, agricultural education and the agriculture industry.
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we’ve had to become creative in advocating for agriculture and speaking with members. We are also responsible for developing, planning and presenting nine leadership conferences and workshops to over 2,500 FFA members, represent Indiana FFA as delegates at the national FFA convention and expo, and finish our year in June 2021 by planning and executing the 92nd Indiana FFA Convention to students, advisors, alumni and special guests.
The Indiana FFA Association is an agriculture education youth organization that is associated with the Indiana Department of Education and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. Our association is a part of the National FFA Organization that serves 760,113 student members who belong to one of 8,739 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The FFA mission is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of young people by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agriculture education. Since being elected, I have delayed my college education to serve the over 12,500 members from 212 FFA chapters throughout the state of Indiana.
Serving as a full-time student ambassador brings lots of enjoyable moments; however, one of the most exciting moments of the year is approaching: National FFA Week. Indiana FFA and the state officer team will celebrate National FFA Week with our 12,500-plus members from Feb. 20 through the 27th. This week gives FFA members an opportunity to educate the public about agriculture. Additionally, chapters across the state conduct a variety of activities to help others in their school and community learn about FFA and agricultural education.
As the state secretary, I will be traveling to the northern part of the state and celebrating with FFA chapters! Teaching curriculum about agriculture, visiting with members, and seeing their excitement for this prestigious organization are just a few of the events that will take place throughout my travels.
This year our state theme is ‘Embrace.’ During National FFA Week, I hope to embrace our members and the changes this past year has brought.
To find out which state officer will be in your area, check out Indiana FFA’s social media! To learn more about the Indiana FFA Organization, feel free to contact me at secretary@inffa.org or please visit inffa.org.