Alaska FFA's Next Frontier
District Leadership Conferences
September was a busy month for the Alaska FFA State Officer Team! We traveled to the Interior, South Central, and Kenai Peninsula Districts, with South Central hosted by Mat-Su Career Tech, Kenai Peninsula hosted by Ninilchik, and Interior hosted by Effie Kokrine Charter School. Along the way, we even squeezed in a chapter visit in Glennallen! It was a great month of meeting members, seeing chapters in action, and traveling across the state.
Marine Sciences
During the second day of South Central District at Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School, members got to dive into marine sciences! Members competed in marine science activities and got hands-on experience learning how to use immersion suits, better known as “Gumby suits.” It was a fun way to explore a side of Alaska’s agriculture and natural resources that we don’t always get to see through FFA.
CTSO Conference
The Alaska FFA State Officer Team also got to attend the Alaska CTSO (Career and Technical Student Orgnanization) Conference, alongside members of FCCLA, Educators Rising, HOSA, SkillsUSA, and BPA. We had the opportunity to welcome Jason and Joenelle Wetzler, both former National FFA officers, as our facilitators for the weekend, who challenged us to look at leadership, teamwork, and how we show up for the people around us. Getting to spend the weekend learning alongside other CTSO members and state officers was a great reminder that even though our organizations look different, we all have a lot we can learn from each other.
Alaska FFA in Action!
Q: What was your introduction to FFA?
A: I joined FFA through my Ag class when my advisor dragged me into my first livestock judging competition. I was nervous and had no idea what to expect, but I gave it a chance. That nervous first step turned into one of my favorite CDEs and a big part of my FFA experience.
Q: What have you competed in or done in FFA?
A: In FFA I have competed in livestock judging, cattle grading, farm and agribusiness, vet science, Opening and closing ceremonies, marine biology, tsunami bowl, and have attended state conventions and conferences.
Q: What’s your favorite part about FFA?
A: My favorite thing about FFA is meeting new people and seeing the person I’m becoming. Every experience pushes me out of my comfort zone and brings me a step closer to becoming the best version of myself.
Q:What do you wish more people knew about FFA?
A:I wish more people knew that FFA is so much more than agriculture. It gives you opportunities to meet new people, step outside your comfort zone, and discover strengths you never knew you had. FFA doesn’t just prepare you for a career-it prepares you for life.
Q: What's a piece of wisdom you wish you could share with the world?
A:Sometimes the things we’re most nervous to try become the things we’re most grateful for.
Nominate a member for a member highlight by reaching out to the state officer team!
99th Annual National FFA Convention and Expo
It is officially 15 days until the 99th National FFA Convention and Expo Gavel Drop! We are so excited to see you all there.
Representing Alaska FFA at Nationals are the following members:
American Degree Recipients:
Skyler Griffin, Copper River FFA
Layla Buzzard, Palmer FFA
Emily Faulkner, Silent Springs FFA
Creed Speaking
Rayna Reynolds, Palmer FFA
Prepared Public Speaking
Isabella Pratt, Palmer FFA
Employment Skills
Hannah Riddle, North Pole FFA
Ag Mechanics- Copper River FFA
Caleb Noble
Carrie Miller
Reese Noble
Michael Johnson
Veterinary Science- Palmer FFA
Lanie Rosenberg-Dreyer
David Spinelli
Morgan Grisham
Aria Hay
Environmental Natural Resources- North Pole FFA
Brooklyn Dahlke-Eddy
Johnathan Free
Adisen Thomas
Jay Forlino
Ag Issues- Bartlett FFA
Courtney Demoski
Abby Gomez
Emilly Mott
Mary Dougherty
Floriculture- Palmer FFA
Abigayle Pingel
Minnie Hansen
Tilden Zimin
Juliann Giauque
Talent:
Tilden Zimin
We are wishing all of our competitors good luck during their competitions and can’t wait to see how everyone succeeds!
National FFA Delegate Committees
One of the jobs of the state officers for Alaska FFA is to represent Alaska in delegate discussions. Delegate issues, discussions, committees, and decisions are all a part of the change making force and process within the National FFA Organization. Many of FFA biggest changes such as allowing women to join, came from these delegate discussions. This year, the Alaska State officers sit on 5/6 of the delegate committees. Layla Harrison, State Treasurer, and Braxtyn Clark, State Reporter, will be responsible for Alaska’s two allotted votes when delegate decisions are being made.
Please read below about the following committees our officers serve on!
1. The Enhancing CDE/LDE Experiences and Career Pipeline Committee- Layla Harrison
Assignment: Strengthen the connection between CDEs/LDEs and students’ future careers.
Connect CDE/LDE competitions to real-world career pathways.
Explore mentorship opportunities before and after competitions.
Use alumni and industry professionals to support members.
Identify successful career-pipeline practices from other CTSOs that could work for FFA.
2. The Leadership Development and Demographics Committee- Braxtyn Clark
Assignment: Examine what influences members’ participation in leadership and find ways to make leadership opportunities better reflect FFA membership.
Identify why leadership participation does not currently mirror overall membership demographics.
Encourage broader participation in officer and elected leadership opportunities.
Improve the State Officer Programs Curriculum.
Help state officers build confidence in agricultural literacy so they can effectively lead an agricultural organization.
3. The Student and Stakeholder Input in Operational Decisions Committee- Isabella Pratt
Assignment: Explore how National FFA can give students and stakeholders a stronger role in staff and Board policy/program decisions.
Determine where student and stakeholder input is most valuable.
Increase student involvement in decision-making.
Ensure student voice is represented across National FFA operations.
Develop a process for getting approval/input from the student body before major operational changes are finalized.
4. The Strengthening Ag Literacy and Production Agriculture Committee- Faith Stewart
Assignment: Strengthen members’ agricultural knowledge and expand opportunities related to production agriculture.
Identify the knowledge and skills members need to understand and advocate for agriculture.
Create more meaningful opportunities for students interested in production-agriculture careers.
Help members understand and explain the connection between agricultural production and human nutrition.
Prepare members to communicate agricultural information effectively to consumers.
5. The Heritage and Future Focus Committee- Liam Wade
Assignment: Preserve the traditions, governance, history, and identity of FFA while preparing the organization for its future.
Help students better understand the FFA Constitution and governance.
Examine how official dress standards can continue to uphold professionalism, unity, and tradition.
Find a balance between modernization and preserving FFA’s traditions, history, values, and identity.
If you have any questions or input relating to these discussions, please contact any of the State Officers!
BAND
For more information relating to all of these things, join our BAND! Going forward it will be the primary source of information about competitions, schedules, member challenges, and rewards!
Download BAND on your device and add a band by inputting this Code: 1D8-S6X-WV
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