Happy FFA Week!

The Future Farmers of America, or better know as the FFA for short, has long been associated as a dynamic youth organization, dressed in blue, designed to provide hands-on learning, development of leadership skills, and educational growth experiences in agriculture and agribusiness production. I am proud to say that I am a former FFAer...and topped off my career by serving as the MN State FFA Secretary back in - a few years ago. During my high school years, FFA provided me with what sports did for most other kids - the chance to be someone and the opportunity to feel accomplished in something I knew something about. While my friends were busy traveling from town to town to suit up and sport, I was traveling from town to town participating in Public Speaking, Dairy Judging, or the State FFA Convention. I did it all, from picking over soybeans one at a time, to winning an award at the crops contest during FFA week, to attending leadership camps every summer, to selling oranges and apples during the yearly fruit drive fundraiser. Thinking back, I'm not sure I even knew why I did all these things - but I was driven and passionate about my cause. Looking back today, I think I know why....because FFA made me feel good about myself. I had more clean fun than should be allowed, traveled to Washington D.C. and St. Louis, MO, and probably most importantly, I learned what it means, win or lose, to always give it your best shot - that it shapes you into a person with character and backbone... and that will take you a long, long way in life. FFA provides a roots opportunity to build dynamic young people to carry on the tradition, development and growth of our future.  Congratulations to all members, supporters and leaders of the Future Farmers of America this week, in celebration of National FFA Week! By the way, just an FYI, I still fit in my jacket ;)!! Maybe next year I will model it for you! Thanks for reading, and hang in there....spring is on its way. Bonnie