Langston Mitchell, Vice President

VP 2024-2025

My SAE is a combination of Placement and Entrepreneurship. The placement portion of my SAE consists of working on my family’s beef cattle and broiler operation. The entrepreneurship portion consists of breeding and raising Limousin cattle and goat production. I have a small herd of Boer goats that I have been building for the past seven years from the ground up. When I started this project, it was for a hobby. It has now turned into a lifelong passion to bring good affordable stock back into my community.

My dream of becoming a Missouri FFA State Officer began eight years ago when my sister started her work in this organization. When she was in high school, she dragged me to every single event, whether I wanted to go or not. That had such a big impact on me. That is why I want to serve as a Missouri FFA State Officer. I want to be an influence for a kid who doesn’t have that older sibling pulling them along to every single event, who will encourage them to do the hard things.

The Legacy I want to leave with Missouri FFA members is to be yourself. It has taken me a long time to break out of my shell. Not that I was ever introverted by any means, but I really didn’t understand what it meant to be yourself. Being yourself means that you listen and respect others, but at the end of the day you don’t forfeit your happiness for someone else’s power.

I’m just hoping to make it through my last year of high school, but after that I plan to attend the University of Missouri to major in animal science and enter into their pre-vet program. After hopefully being accepted into their vet program, I plan to get my degree in veterinary medicine and obtain a certification in animal chiropractic for animal athletes. Then, return home to my family farm and open a clinic that heals the whole animal.

Something that many of you will find out is that I do not get embarrassed easily. I like to think of this as my talent because no matter where I am or who I’m with, if someone’s not having a good time I’m going to embarrass myself to hopefully make them feel a little bit more comfortable with where they are. I’m sure whatever “embarrassing” thing you think is happening to you, I can definitely make people forget it with my terrible dance moves.

My advice to FFA members is take every opportunity you get. Don’t just be at an activity, be present. Eventually, the work you put in now will set up your future. My older sister told me to always say yes and though at times I may have been overwhelmed or stressed, I look back at where I am today and think, “What if I wouldn’t have said yes?” So, be a sponge and soak up every opportunity.