From Washington D.C. to the Next Frontier

State Officer Leadership Summit

Miles. Memories. Meaning. 

Over 4,000 miles from Alaska, five blue jackets walked into Washington, D.C. with a whole state behind them. 

Summit was a week I know our team will never forget. We got to learn alongside state officers from across the nation, explore D.C. and make so many new connections. Not to mention the growth made as leaders representing Alaska FFA.

Advocating for Alaska Agriculture

One of the biggest parts of our week was advocacy. We had the opportunity to head to Capitol Hill and meet with Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Dan Sullivan, where we had some amazing conversations about supporting Perkins funding and continuing to grow agricultural education here in Alaska. We unfortunately weren't able to meet with Representative Nick Begich, but we did get to sit down with his staff and have another incredible conversation about what agricultural education means for students in our state.

There is something pretty special about walking into those offices with Alaska on the back of our jackets and knowing we aren't just speaking for the five of us. We are there for FFA members, our chapters, our advisors, and the future workforce in Alaska.

Learning from History

This year's State Officer Team also had the incredible opportunity to spend a day exploring the monuments and memorials throughout D.C. I think it is definitely easy to learn about these moments in history from a classroom or see these places in pictures, but actually standing there is completely different. It gave us time to reflect, and really take in the history surrounding us.

Leadership Delegate Process

Additionally, Summit marked the beginning of the Leadership Delegate Process! We got to jump into conversations with state officers from across the country and start working through topics that will continue all the way into National FFA Convention. This was just the beginning, and we are SO excited to keep preparing and see where these conversations take us at National Convention this fall!

The Best Part?? The People!

And of course, I can't talk about Summit without talking about the people. One of the best parts of the entire week was getting to meet state officers from all across the country. In just a few days we made so many connections, learned from each other, laughed A LOT, and made friendships that stretched WAY beyond Alaska. A week we'll never forget and people we'll never stop cheering for!!

Summit reminded us that leadership isn't just about what you accomplish. It's about the people you meet and the community you build along the way.

The Alaska FFA State Officer Team meeting with Senator Dan Sullivan and advocating for the future of agricultural education on Capital Hill.

Something BIG is Coming to the Alaska State Fair!

The Alaska State Fair is right around the corner, and this year Alaska FFA has something pretty exciting up our sleeve! 

From August 21–24, FFA members from across the state will be coming together at the Alaska State Fair for the Ag Ed Expo!

More than Cows, Sows & Plows

For four days, FFA members will be filling the barn with hands-on activities such as educational booths, demonstrations, workshops, and SO much more. Our goal is to get people excited about agriculture and give fairgoers the chance to learn about the industry from the students who are already a part of it. Afterall, agriculture is about so much more than Cows, Sows & Plows.

Something for Everyone

Throughout the Expo, fairgoers will get to explore different parts of Alaska agriculture and natural resources, learn about careers they may have never heard of, and get hands-on with the industry that plays a part in our everyday lives. There will also be plenty happening on stage! From Leadership Development Event demonstrations to workshops, forums, and other activities, we want there to always be something new happening when you walk through the barn.

Powered by FFA Members

One of the things we are most excited about is getting our members involved. FFA members are the ones who will be running activities, answering questions, and sharing agriculture with the people who come through the barn. There is so much more to agriculture than most people realize, and this gives us the chance to show that.

Come See US!!

The Alaska State Fair has deep roots in agriculture, and I think it is pretty cool that we get to be a part of continuing that. There is still lots of planning happening behind the scenes, but I cannot wait to see everything come together in August! If you’re at the Alaska State Fair August 21st–24th, come see us!!

Alaska FFA members participating in a Poultry Evaluation workshop during last years Ag Ed Expo.

Theme Reveal

And in case you missed it… we officially have our theme for the 51st Alaska FFA State Convention!!

THE NEXT FRONTIER

Alaska is known as the Last Frontier, but there is still so much ahead of us. The unknown. The unexplored. The uncharted. And the undefined.

The Next Frontier is about what comes next. The opportunities we haven’t found yet, the goals we haven’t reached, and the experiences that are still waiting for us.

The frontier is waiting… Where will you go next?