Andrew Moore – VP

The day after the Area III LDE contest I was visiting with a school counselor when she asked, “How did your contest go?” I responded by telling her how well it went, that I had performed my best and that overall the contest was a success. Still, I knew she wanted me to spill the beans about how I placed.

After a bit of small talk, she finally asked, “So how did you place?” I reluctantly answered, “Well, I did pretty good. I got first place.” She of course was cheerful, but questioned why I hadn’t told her that in the beginning. I didn’t want to sound like I was bragging.  As simple as it might be, she then asked me a question I will never forget: “Andrew, if you don’t toot your own horn, who will?”

I recognize the importance of humility, but this got me thinking. If we don’t tell the story of our life, either no one will, or someone will tell it the wrong way. Furthermore, the same could be said about our agricultural story. Our farm story, is just that, ourstory! We have to be the ones telling it.

As FFA members, we must choose to tell the story of agriculture. Whether it be posting a selfie with our livestock, teaching someone how to plant a garden, or teaching third graders how their food is produced, tell your story! Tell agriculture’s story. If you don’t toot your own horn about your passion for this way of life, who will?