FFA

From a CDE to the Rest of My Life

By: Sarah Johnson
agricultural communication

Participating in the Agricultural Communications Career Development Event (CDE) was one of the most instrumental parts of my high school career. This CDE catapulted me into a career path I never saw myself pursuing.

I have interned with the Office of Advancement for the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences as their communications intern, interned with Linde’s Livestock Photos, and currently work in the Office of Advancement as a student assistant and with ShowChampions Photography.

I also own SJ Photography where I photograph livestock, shows, events, weddings, families and seniors. None of these experiences would’ve been the same if I hadn’t been exposed to the material and framework of agricultural communication at this CDE.

Majoring in agricultural communication allows me to have the best of both worlds, all while continually improving my communication skills.

Johnson, second from left, and her Agricultural Communication CDE team and advisors at the Ohio FFA Convention.

 

 

 

 

 

My American FFA Degree: Joanna Lininger

By: Joanna Lininger
Agricultural Communication
Sophomore

As a member of the Mohawk FFA chapter near Sycamore, Ohio, I was involved in activities from soil judging to job interview contests.  My Supervised Agricultural Experience included 173 acres of crop production and starting my own Boer goat breeding herd.

Receiving my American Degree proves that all of the dedication and hard work that I gave to the program was worth it.  I have learned a great deal through FFA and my love of agriculture grew.  In fact, I most likely would not be a student at The Ohio State University studying agricultural communications without FFA.

Through FFA, I was introduced to the Columbus campus and all of the opportunities it had to offer.  I am thankful for my experiences in FFA and honored to receive my American Degree.

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My American Degree: Katie Fath

By: Katie Fath
Agriscience Education
Sophomore

In 2011, I zipped up my FFA jacket for the first time as a greenhand, from there I had no idea where that blue corduroy jacket was going to take me. In that jacket I have achieved so much, made many friends, went many places, and made many memories. It ended up showing me what my true passion was and what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I found a true passion for agriculture and I decided I wanted to become an agriculture teacher and change lives of all the greenhands that walk into my classroom.

As I zipped up my FFA jacket one last time to receive my American Degree I realized without my FFA advisor and this amazing organization that cares so much for the future of agriculture and forming teens to be true leaders, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. It shaped me to be the strong, courteous, independent women I am and lead me to setting goals and the will to achieve my goals like earning the high degree and FFA member can receive. Thank you to my family and friends who pushed me to be the best I can be.

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My American Degree: Abby Motter

By: Abby Motter
Agriscience Education
Sophomore

You can’t help but be overwhelmed with powerful memories when you zip up that corduroy jacket for what will be the last time. You remember what it was like trying it on for the first time as a freshman, how much anticipation and excitement you had for the years ahead. How funny official dress seemed, how baggy the jacket was for your scrawny body, and how strange panty hose felt. You remember the trips, the contests, the friends, the funny moments, and the transformation from what you were, to what you are becoming. You hold on to the happy times and the exaggerated simplicity of life as a high schooler. You remember the first paragraph of the FFA creed, the rules for Division of the House, and to tuck in your tally-wacker. You know the impact you can have on a younger member, and the powerful influence your FFA Advisor continually has on you and countless other students.

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Most importantly you recognize that when you take off that jacket for the final time you have a responsibility. The support of your family, friends, community, and school – anybody who ever once bought a case of citrus trio, bid up your feeder calf at the fair, attended your chapter banquet, or coached your soils team, gave you the gift of the FFA. There was only one catch – now it is your turn to give back to the organization that has given us all so much. Receiving the American FFA Degree is noteworthy, yes; it signifies over 5 years of dedication to premier leadership, personal growth, and career success. However, the American FFA Degree is an opportunity to sit on the other side of the desk, and serve the next generation of blue jackets.

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This year I have the amazing opportunity to watch my sister begin her journey in the FFA. When I hung up the jacket a little over a week ago I held on to the memories, knowing my sister is already making her own. I am excited to serve this great organization as an alumna, and work towards fulfilling my dream of becoming an Agricultural Educator and FFA Advisor. I know that my role as “Miss Motter” enables me to encourage more students to find their potential, chase after their dreams, and walk across that stage at National Convention one final time.

My American FFA Degree: Cody McClain

Cody McClain
Agriscience Education
Sophomore

 

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The American FFA degree is the highest degree that an FFA member can receive, and I had the opportunity to receive this honorable degree on October 22, 2016.

Throughout my lifetime, I have always strived to reach my fullest potential regardless of the obstacles that I faced. Receiving my American FFA degree was a goal that I set for myself after I had attended my first National FFA convention my freshman year of high school. I was born and raised on a grain production farm, and I had the opportunity to have many first hand experiences with growing and harvest crops for production agriculture. These experiences guided my passion for agriculture and everlasting interest to be active in the industry.

When I joined the Upper Sandusky FFA, I soon realized that I would be able to practice my very own agriculture business through an supervise agriculture experience project, which lead me to seek out the other endeavors in FFA such as the National American degree. As I endured my final State FFA convention, I recognize the impact that the FFA organization made in my life, so I decide at that moment that I wanted to continue to pursue my passion for agriculture and make a difference in the lives of other agriculturist as a FFA advisor.

Since the application deadline for the OSU Columbus had closed, I decided to attend Ohio State ATI. This was the beginning of a journey that created remarkable memories and allowed me to continue my tradition of excellence in the field of agriculture.

Even thought I retired my FFA jacket and finish a chapter of my life, I have began another chapter that will be fulfilled with new and exciting experiences. The American FFA degree is a major milestone in my life that will benefit my future success as an educator. To this end, I am thrilled that I am studying to be an agricultural educator and hope to help today’s youth in agriculture be able to wear their FFA jacket proudly and receive their American FFA degree.

My American FFA Degree: Micah Mensing

Micah Mensing
Oak Harbor, Ohio
Agriscience Education

I can remember six years ago sitting in the Agriscience Education classroom at Oak Harbor High School. As I worked through my freshman year I had the opportunity to experience state FFA convention. This experience ignited my passion for the FFA as I learned of the multitude of opportunities I could take advantage of over the next four years.

During those inspirational days as I thought about my future in this incredible organization I dreamed of one day having the opportunity to be recognized on the state and national level. Fortunately enough throughout my FFA journey my Supervised Agriculture Experience developed, and opportunities to serve my community increased. These events combined with my passion for agriculture allowed me to receive my State FFA Degree. Receiving this degree inspired me to set a new goal, I was determined to one day walk across the stage at National FFA Convention and receive the highest degree one could earn.

Fast-forward two years to this weekend when I zipped up my blue jacket for the final time. Emotions of thankfulness, passion, and excitement all filled my heart as I prepared to complete my final goal as a member. As I consider my accomplishment I am forever thankful for the incredible people that have guided and impacted me along the way, the life lessons that I have learned, and the experiences that have built me to be the person that I am today while on the journey to receive the American FFA Degree.

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My American FFA Degree: Kelse Brown

Kelse Brown
Edgerton, Ohio
Agriscience Education

Receiving my American FFA degree is the highest honor a member of the National FFA organization can receive. For me to receive this award is a great honor and has marked an end to my journey as a student/member of the FFA. Of an organization that has grown to over 600,000 members, I am a part of the 1% that has made the ultimate achievement of earning this degree. Over the past 6 years I have been able to meet some pretty amazing people and had the chance to engage in opportunities that never would have been possible without the FFA. I may have unzipped my jacket for the final time but the memories made, the lessons learned, and the passion and desire for success will stay close to me forever. I will always be a supporter of the National FFA Organization.

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Kelse Brown, American FFA Degree recipient

ACEL Students earn American Degree

The Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership had 26 students receive their American Degree at the 2016 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana this past weekend.

The American FFA Degree is awarded to members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to FFA and made significant accomplishments in their supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs). Approximately 3,500 American FFA Degrees are handed out each year at the National FFA Convention. That number represents less than half of one percent of all FFA members, making it one of the organizations highest honors. In addition to their degree, each recipient receives a gold American FFA Degree key.

Those students from our Department who received this honor include:

Agricultural Communication
Mindi Brookhart, Waynesfield Goshen FFA
Joanna Lininger, Mohawk FFA
Michaela Kramer, Botkins FFA
Devin Roth, Cory Rawson FFA

Agriscience Education
Kelse Brown, Edgerton FFA
Blake Campbell, Waterford FFA
Kristen Eisenhauer, Shelby FFA
Katie Fath, Firelands FFA
Connor Frame, Meadowbrook FFA
Katrina Harper, Caldwell FFA
Thomas Hoover, Sentinel Vocational Center FFA
Veronica Johnson, Georgetown FFA
Wyatt Jones, Greenfield McClain FFA
Sarah Landis, Valley View FFA
Cody McClain, Upper Sandusky FFA
Micah Mensing, Oak Harbor FFA
Savannah Miller, Blanchester FFA
Abigale Motter, Crestview-Ashland FFA
Amanda Seger, Fort Loramie FFA
Ellyse Shafer, Clear Fork Valley FFA
Emily Starlin, Logan FFA
Morgan Stoner, Elgin FFA
Adam Wagner, Ridgemont FFA
Kayla Walls, Parkway FFA
Sam Wander, Clearfork Valley FFA

Community Leadership
Sarah Bookman, Hillsdale FFA

Sydney’s retiring address

On Thursday, October 20, agricultural communication student Sydney Snider gave her retiring address as an officer for the National FFA Organization. Snider has served as Eastern Region Vice-President since November 2015.

Her retiring address, “See Hope, Be Hope”, is available for viewing on the FFA Pulse website.

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Picture taken from National FFA Facebook

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Picture taken from National FFA Facebook

Congratulations Sydney! You did a fantastic job delivering your retiring address.

Calling All Former FFA Members in CFAES

This year at Ohio FFA State Convention CFAES is hoping to showcase our current students, faculty, and staff who were previously involved as members of the National FFA Organization.  We want to show Ohio FFA members how successful they can be by turning Blue and Gold into Scarlet and Gray!

In order to do this, we need your help.  We are planning two photo shoots with 30 minute blocks of time on Tuesday, March 8 from 8:00-11:00AM and Wednesday, March 23 from 1:00-4:00PM.  If you are available for just 30 minutes on one of those days, we are hoping you will be willing to do three things:

  1. Sign-up here for a time slot and to list locations that would work best for you.  A note about the time slots, we are able to have up to 7 people per time slot and will choose a location that is best for the entire group for that specific time slot.
  2. Wear either your favorite OSU attire or attire that represents your current job (lab coat, business suit, etc.) to the photo shoot.
  3. Bring your FFA jacket to the photo shoot!

I hope you will consider taking part in this great opportunity to show Ohio FFA members that they can be successful by turning Blue and Gold into Scarlet and Gray!  Please let Amy Jo Frost Baughman (frost.153@osu.edu) know if you absolutely any questions.

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