While I’m writing this I am currently listening to rain pour down outside my house. I know rain will help the many acres that farmers have planted, the pastures on our farms and ranches, and my favorite wild flowers grow. My father has always told me that everything needs rain to grow ..read more

Looking back at the person I was before my year of service to Missouri FFA, I’ve seen a number of major changes in myself. I’ve grown more confident, I’m better at conversation, I’ve learned resilience, but perhaps the most important thing I’ve learned is how to be courageous. Without courage, I wouldn’t have achieved any of the progress I’ve seen within myself. Throughout the past year, I’ve been asked to conquer challenges that scared me, embracing situations that made me uncomfortable in my abilities ..read more

Oprah Winfrey once said, “Where there is no struggle, there is no strength.” As you go through life, you will encounter challenges. Unfortunately, there is no way to avoid the times of struggle. Your time in the blue jacket will include both victories and challenges. In high school, you will face both victories and challenges. Even in college and later in your career, you will face both victories and challenges ..read more

Today, on behalf of nearly 27,000 members of Missouri FFA, Governor Mike Parson proclaimed Feb. 17-24, 2024, to be National FFA Week in Missouri. “FFA members are the future of Missouri agriculture,” Governor Mike Parson said. “The First Lady and I live an agricultural lifestyle, and we’re encouraged by the leadership we see displayed in Missouri FFA members who will uphold valuable traditions and introduce new ones. Each time we interact with this group, we’re reminded that both the industry and state we love is in great hands ..read more

Throughout my time in FFA, I participated in several Career Development Events (CDE). During my junior year, I found myself doing a contest that I had never imagined doing. Although I didn't know what it was and the level of difficulty the Forestry CDE encompassed, I discovered one tree was quite unique during my involvement ..read more

Three Missouri FFA Student Members Receive a Total of $600 in the Missouri Forest Products Association FFA Public Speaking Contest Finalists Presented on January 9 at the MFPA Winter Meeting in Jefferson City ..read more

The recent release of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians show on Disney Plus makes me want to listen to Riptide on repeat, start eating exclusively blue foods, and maybe go on an epic quest to save the world ..read more

The 2023 Missouri Sheep Producers State FFA Speaking contest was held at Margaritaville Resort on Sunday December 3rd. Ed DeOrnellis, chairman of the event said, “The contest is designed to develop individual public speaking skills and to promote interest in and awareness of the many different aspects of the sheep industry ..read more

How could it be that every FFA member already has, somewhere inside of them, all the knowledge needed for personal growth? While there are certainly a nearly infinite number of self-help books, podcasts, or TikToks fighting desperately for what last scraps of cash and/or attention we have left, creating a better world for ourselves—both inside and out—lies within the hands and minds of every FFA member ..read more

As Joyce Meyer once said, “A bad attitude is like a flat tire. You can’t go anywhere until you change it.” Flat tires are not the way to start any day. It delays you and ruins your plans for the day. It also affects other people, too, because it could make you late for a meeting or even just the start to your day ..read more