In lieu of the 94th Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference, I thought it was only fair to share several conversations I had earlier in March with my readers. As an alumnus of FFA, it was bittersweet to be back in the coveted Hilton Coliseum and participate in the activities during convention this week.
Learning for agricultural education students happens both in and out of the classroom, and the Iowa FFA Alumni are there to enhance those opportunities.
Started in 1971, the National FFA Alumni & Supporters was established to support and promote FFA, FFA activities and agricultural education on local, state and national levels. The most common form of involvement includes alumni groups at the local level, with the state organization overseeing all the chapters and assisting when needed. Individual membership comes in several forms including a lifetime membership, annual membership or the state will pay affiliation dues.
“After high school graduation, former FFA students have a free membership for five years,” said Bryon Weesner, annual fund and communication manager for the Iowa FFA Foundation. “Our goal as alumni and supporters is to advocate for agricultural education programs, support students and their various activities and ultimately assist teachers in having a healthy home/work balance.”
With 99 FFA alumni chapters and over 18,000 members in the state of Iowa, a group of volunteers is elected each year to serve on the Iowa FFA Alumni and Supporters Board of Directors. There are representatives from six districts in the state of Iowa, four at-large positions, five representatives in voting roles, in addition to two ex-officio members, totaling 17. Each voting member serves a three-year term.
“There are so many opportunities for members to be involved,” said Natalie Jefson, a junior at Iowa State University and currently serving in one of the past state FFA officer positions on the board. “One of our big projects includes working with college students to increase involvement and make a presence on college campuses across Iowa.” One of her favorite aspects of being involved is the Forever Blue Network, an online space for high school and college students to interact with industry professionals and search for internships.
In addition to the Forever Blue Network, members of the board of directors also volunteer at the FFA supply service during the Iowa State Fair and Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference (SLC), hold an annual conference, sponsor the past state FFA officer reception at SLC and sponsor various awards and scholarships for students.
Jennifer Findling from Royal, Iowa, is currently serving as the northwest district representative. She’s a mother of four, with two daughters still actively involved in FFA and two who just graduated from Iowa State University and employed as agricultural educators in Iowa.
“The FFA alumni is critical for the support of our agriculture teachers across the state,” said Findling. “Whether you know it or not, as parents and community members, you are the support of the chapter, even if it’s simply making brownies or helping students prepare for contests.”
As the membership continues to increase in Iowa, so do the goals of the organization.
“Over the next five years, we hope to increase membership numbers in the state, and have an alumni chapter at ever school,” said Steve Dolch, a retiring member from the board of directors. Dolch isn’t new to the organization; his involvement with FFA started 58 years ago as a high school student, has watched all four of his children serve as Iowa FFA state officers, and he’s currently finishing up his last term on the alumni board of directors.
“My favorite activities always involve people,” said Dolch. “I enjoy going to the Iowa State Fair each year and visiting with people but I especially enjoy visiting with the students.”
Before Steve and I got off the phone from our conversation, he shared a line that has been written on a sticky note on my desk that I often reflect on. It says:
"You can give a lifetime of what the FFA gave you."
And I think that's so true. The memories, lessons, and people I learned and met through the FFA are countless. Each of them holds a special place in my heart, and I will never give enough time to the organization that helped diligently form the person I am today. Some of the people met are my peers, others are mentors, and still yet, my very best friends. And those can never be taken away.
It's time to take a new status on: being an alumnus. What does that mean? Giving time. Taking a moment to answer questions. Providing a helping hand. And ultimately, service. The people of the Iowa FFA Alumni are honest, genuine people that are excited about the next generation of agriculturalists. They are dedicated to the success of the students in their communities and want to help them succeed. It doesn't have to be in a big way, it can be as simple as baking brownies or giving a student a ride. But our communities can't survive without them. My challenge to you today is to find a way that you can help your FFA chapter and be that person that steps up to the call of service.
FOREVER BLUE & GOLD,
Lauren