Madeline O’Brien, Troy

SECRETARY 2026-27

My SAE is in the area of agricultural education. I work as a departmental assistant and youth mentor within the Troy Agricultural Education Department and help with Ag Ed on the Move over the summer.

I wanted to serve as a Missouri FFA State Officer so I could give back to the organization that has given me so much. My involvement in FFA has shaped me into the person I am today by teaching me lessons, instilling values and creating memories, all of which have proven invaluable. Throughout this year of service, I want to be someone who FFA members can rely on for encouragement, authenticity and guidance. The blue jacket has given me a second home, and I hope to support and inspire members to grow as leaders and advocates for the agricultural industry, all while wearing the name of our association on my back.

The legacy I most want to leave is one that reminds Missouri FFA members that growth does not come from comfort. My time as an FFA member has challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone on more occasions than I can count, and those moments have by far been the most rewarding. I wish to push members to experience all that our organization has to offer, knowing I will be there to support them along the way. Ultimately, at the conclusion of this year of service, I hope members will remember me as someone who wore the blue jacket with pride and encouraged them to do the same.

Beginning this fall, I will be attending the University of Missouri to earn a degree in Agricultural Education-Teacher Certification, along with minors in Policy and Agribusiness Management. Upon the completion of my degree, I hope to pursue a career as either a high school agricultural educator or policy advisor for Missouri commodity groups. Regardless of the direction I choose to take my career, I am committed to promoting agricultural literacy and advocating for the industry that drives our world.

Something that few people know about me is that I have been out of the country twice; once to Iceland and once to the United Kingdom, where I visited both England and Wales. My trip to Iceland was through a school opportunity, while my trip to the United Kingdom was for my sister and me to compete in a World Taekwondo and Kickboxing tournament. The multi-day event included competitors from more than 20 countries, and it is an experience I will never forget. 

My advice to FFA Members is to let uncertainty push you forward, not pull you back. Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way, especially the ones that make you uncomfortable, because those are the ones that will allow you to grow. Do not let anyone tell you that you are incapable, not even yourself. Set goals, stand out and strive for success. Most importantly, however, do not take any moment for granted. Live it to the fullest and, as my advisor once shared with me, “Let no one stop you or prevent you from reaching your goals.”