2024-2025

Dec 13 2024

Embracing Vulnerability: Finding Strength Through Struggles

2024-2025, Gavin Rhode

Gavin Rhode, Secretary

In life, true strength often comes from embracing vulnerability, even when it feels like everything is falling apart. Two years ago, I learned this lesson the hard way. During a football game, I took a helmet to the back of my knee, dislocating my tibia and tearing both my ACL and lateral meniscus. What followed was a painful journey of physical and emotional recovery where I discovered strength doesn’t come from avoiding vulnerability, it comes from facing it head on.

The road to recovery wasn’t easy. For months, I endured countless hours of physical therapy, pushing through pain, frustration and self-doubt. My body wasn’t cooperating, and I often found myself questioning whether I would ever be able to return to the field. But in those moments of struggle, I realized overcoming obstacles isn’t just about raw physical strength, it’s about resilience, determination and accepting help when needed.

As an FFA member, we understand hard work and perseverance are essential to overcoming any challenge. Agriculture has a rich history of overcoming adversity, from the struggles farmers faced during the Dust Bowl to the modern-day challenges of maintaining a farm or ranch. Those who persevered through these hardships didn’t shy away from vulnerability, they leaned into it, drawing strength from their community and their determination to keep going.

In the same way, I’ve learned that life’s struggles are not something to fear or avoid. Instead, they are opportunities to grow, improve and become stronger. It’s in facing these challenges, being vulnerable and pushing forward that we truly find our strength.

Dec 10 2024

What’s Your Brand?

2024-2025, Matthew Lakey

Matthew Lakey

I was recently driving home after a long week of classes at Missouri State, and I passed the local John Deere dealership just outside of Springfield. As I drove by and looked at the sea of green equipment, I immediately thought of everything John Deere is known for as a company. Excellent customer service, outstanding tractors and the beautiful green paint that every piece of equipment is doused in are just a few of the reasons why John Deere is one of the largest and most successful companies in the world. After I drove by the dealership, I thought to myself, just as John Deere is recognized by green paint, we as individuals are recognized by how we conduct ourselves and how we treat other people. I’m sure many people have heard the phrase, “There’s always somebody watching.” This has been preached to me by my parents for years, and I can say without a doubt they were 100% right. People are always watching to see how we treat other people, how we act with our friends and how hard we work. Just as John Deere is a brand that is known around the world for customer service, tractors and green paint, we too are known by our work ethic, our behavior around our closest friends and our willingness to help others. How will you create your own brand?

Dec 06 2024

Finding Success Where You Are

2024-2025, Amelia Hawkins

Amelia Hawkins, VP

Turning 15 is something a lot of people look forward to with excitement. It’s the day you get your driver’s permit and can start driving. For someone like me, however, learning to drive was an absolute nightmare. I was a fast learner in school and picked new material up quickly. But when it came to driving? All bets were off. Mistakes were made constantly, and every little reminder my parents had to give felt like its own failure.

Driving became an experience I tried desperately to avoid. How could I not be good at this? Everyone else I knew could drive and do it so well. Why couldn’t I be like them? Surely my older brother hadn’t had this much trouble trying to drive. In the way people struggling do all too often, I started comparing myself to everyone else and how great at driving they were – something I firmly believed I could never be.

My dad was the one to help me break this attitude of comparison. He reminded me that my brother had been driving for two years already, whereas I had been learning for only a few months. I couldn’t possibly be as good of a driver as someone with as much experience as him, but I was pretty good for someone who had as much practice as I did. Rather than focus on where I was compared to his skill level, I should find success in the steps I had made in my own driving experience.

Throughout the many lessons life throws at us, it’s easy to focus on comparing where you are to where someone else is. But instead of comparing ourselves to others’ experiences, we should learn to take pride in where we are in our own journeys of success.

Dec 03 2024

Love Your People

2024-2025, Andi Belt

Andi Belt, President

I can say without a moment’s doubt that I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am today without the support of “my people” along the way. Growing up with four little brothers and countless little cousins, I was never short of cheerleaders at any of my events. Whether it was a basketball game, FFA banquet, softball tournament or sheep show, I could always count on my family being there to celebrate my successes and soften the blow of tough losses. When I got to high school, my village only grew. My teammates, chapter officer team and countless new FFA friends soon became part of my family. Some of the biggest ways they “showed up” for me was through the smallest gestures. When I headed to state officer interviews, my parents, little brothers, cousins, aunts and uncles prepared a basket filled with my favorite things – handwritten notes of encouragement, bible verses and, of course, V8 energy drinks. When I graduated high school, my FFA friends from all over the state drove to the middle-of-nowhere Shelby County to celebrate with hugs and laughter. On my 18th birthday, my 15 new best friends threw the sweetest “mini party” at state officer training. All of these moments truly remind me of how lucky I am. The way they continue to show up for me, be there to celebrate every small success and never stop reminding me how loved I am – that is truly what has made me who I am today. All of us have “our people”. Those who’ve been there for us when we need it most. While it’s easy to think about the difference they’ve made, often we forget to show them how grateful we are. My challenge for all of us as we head into this next season of life is to show our love and appreciation for those who have loved, celebrated and supported us along the way!

Nov 27 2024

Progress over Perfection

2024-2025, Carmen Wilburn

Carmen Wilburn

Throughout my high school years, I was someone who fixated on what went wrong instead of what went right. Whether it was a test, game, or a contest, I spent hours replaying my mistakes in my head, focusing on what I could’ve done better. I rarely celebrated the effort I put in or the progress I made. Instead, I was consumed by the idea that anything less than perfect was failure.

Perfectionism makes you believe that success is only defined by flawlessness, and when I didn’t meet those impossibly high standards, I felt like I’d failed. It created an environment where my self-worth was tied to external achievements, and any misstep felt like a personal defeat. The result? Constant self-criticism and an inability to recognize or appreciate my accomplishments.

But somewhere along the way, I realized that this cycle wasn’t serving me. Instead of seeing mistakes as failures, I began to see them as opportunities for growth. I learned to give myself credit for the effort and progress, not just the end result. One key moment in this shift came from my basketball coach telling me, “we’ve just gotta work with what we’ve got”. That simple yet profound statement helped me reframe my mindset. Instead of striving for perfection in every play, I started to focus on what I could do with the tools and skills I had at the moment. It was about progress, not perfection.

A couple of weeks ago, I had a conversation with a student about a speech competition they had participated in. When I asked how it had gone, they told me they had lost. In that moment, I realized that I wasn’t the only one who struggled to see the positive side of things. FFA members, even when you don’t get the outcome you worked hard for, it’s important to celebrate the small victories. Whether it’s improving your skills, learning from the experience, or simply stepping out of your comfort zone, every effort is a win. Progress isn’t always about the final result, it’s about how far you’ve come and what you’ve learned along the way.

Nov 17 2024

Take The First Step

2024-2025, Gentrie Davis

Gentrie Davis, VP

“Time to get up, Gentrie!” These five words send a ring to my ears every morning. If you are like me, you know the value of sleep, especially when it comes to five more minutes…

With fall rolling in and the temperatures dropping, the battle between cozy blankets and the cold, hard floor begins. If there’s one thing I dread, it’s getting out of bed and stepping onto that chilly surface. Simply hitting the floor is the first step into my day. On the other side, the cool floor sure sends a chilling sensation that wakes me up!

Over the course of my time in FFA, I have been relatively active with my Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE). But has it always been easy? Absolutely not. Have I always felt motivated to take action? No way. However, the mentors and opportunities I’ve encountered along the way have made the struggle worth it. As a freshman, my parents helped me develop a plan for my baking and milling business.This wasn’t just a casual hobby; it was a detailed business plan. We outlined the products I would sell, the equipment I would need, and estimated my input and output costs. I was stressed just thinking about creating a plan, but the real anxiety came when I had to put the plan into action. Simply taking that first step.

So often we get in a rut of not knowing where to start or feeling overwhelmed. I still remember my dad telling me about the tasks I needed to be doing to get my SAE functioning. He told me “action accomplishes goals.” His words stuck with me. My dad nudged me into action, and once I took that first step, things started falling into place. I applied for a National FFA grant, which helped fund the equipment and ingredients I needed for my business. Over time, I expanded my product line and grew the business from the ground up. What felt like risk turned into a reward.

So often, taking that first step can feel like a brick wall. We can all plan, take preventative measures and budget, but we have to put this planning into practice. Often when creating goals, we get stuck in the rut of not knowing where to go. I have been there, and the best thing you can do is find someone to hold you accountable. That is your first step. Find someone to push your limits, help you find those opportunities, support your endeavors and seek the inevitable. Just like stepping out of bed onto that cold floor, taking the first step toward your goals can feel uncomfortable. But once you do it, you’re awake, you’re moving and you’re on your way to success. Ask yourself what your first step will be today. Afterall, taking action leads to accomplishment.

Oct 07 2024

The Joy of Today

2024-2025, Mikaela Rojas

Mikaela Rojas, 1st Vice President

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to travel to northern Missouri with the National FFA president, Amara Jackson, and our Missouri FFA president, Andi Belt. I had a mission on my mind: to complete engaging chapter visits with Amara and Andi and soak up as much information as I possibly could. Halfway through my trip to meet up with them, I was met with a big, orange “ROAD CLOSED” sign. Immediately, I panicked because I knew if I rerouted and followed the roads my GPS wanted me to, I would never meet Amara and Andi on time. In this moment of worry, I looked over my shoulder and noticed an unmarked gravel road. With no other choice and a countdown ticking away in my mind, I turned down the road.

As I drove, I felt a sense of freedom wash over me. The morning sun began to rise, casting a warm glow across the fields ready for harvest. I was captivated by the sight of farmers diligently harvesting their crops in the distance, embodying the spirit of hard work and dedication that defines the agricultural community. This unexpected detour allowed me to witness the beauty of agriculture I take for granted in the busyness of day-to-day life. I arrived just in time to meet Amara and Andi with a brand new perspective in tow. This experience taught me that sometimes the best moments come from embracing the unexpected and turning challenges into opportunities for growth.

FFA members, as you navigate all of the “gravel roads” in your life and your dreams of future success, remember this – “Do not let the pursuit of tomorrow diminish the joy of today.” Celebrate small victories, build friendships and take time to enjoy the process of learning. Let your journey be rich with both purpose and happiness; the path to success is just as meaningful as the destination itself!

Sep 04 2024

Looking Through A Different Lens

2024-2025, Emma Robinson

Emma Robinson

If you know me, you know I have a long bucket list of things to do and places to see. One thing that has been on my list for years has been to see the northern lights. Also known as the Aurora Borealis, the lights showcase bright greens, pinks and purples throughout the sky. While they are most commonly seen in northern countries like Canada and Russia, the light show sometimes reaches into parts of the United States. When I found out I was going to have an opportunity to see them, I knew I had to take it. However, instead of packing up my winter clothes and traveling up north, the lights came to me.

Around mid-May, many of us in Missouri were told the northern lights would be visible in our backyard. So, just like everyone else, I waited for the sun to set and focused my eyes on the sky. But, after about an hour of waiting, I started questioning if the lights were actually visible in our area. The night sky was just as black as usual with no sign of the Aurora. Feeling dissatisfied, I started to head inside. As I got to the door, I turned around to take a picture as proof that it was just a normal night. However, the picture that followed was anything but ordinary. Amid the bright stars, pink and purple painted the sky. While I couldn’t see it with my eyes, my phone was able to capture scenery like no other.

So often I find myself going into places with expectations, only to be disappointed when things don’t go as I had hoped. From contests to interviews, I remember leaving discontent with my performance countless times. In those situations, I was looking at life through a narrow lens. But, looking back, I realize that a low placing at a contest helped me see the places where I needed to work harder to prepare next time. An interview that didn’t go the way I had hoped allowed me to learn from my mistakes to prepare for the future. When I sat outside waiting to see the Aurora, I was upset that I didn’t see the lights as I had hoped. But, all I needed was a different perspective. All we need to do is look through a different lens.

Sep 04 2024

Seasons of Change

2024-2025, Braden Havlik

Braden Havlik

As I was driving home after my first week of classes at Mizzou, I was struck by the remarkable amount of change that occurred in the short time I had been gone. The corn, which was bright green just one week prior, now had a golden shimmer as I drove by, and in certain fields, some farmers had already begun their harvest. Even the cattle I passed seemed larger than before, with calving season soon approaching. All this made me realize our lives are constantly changing, just like the crops and livestock many of us spend a lifetime producing.

With so much change in our lives, oftentimes it can be difficult to adapt. I, for one, have experienced this difficulty first-hand moving into college. Before the move, I wasn’t too worried about making new friends or adjusting to life in the city of Columbia. However, I soon realized that wasn’t the scary part of moving. The part I found to be the most difficult was losing the people I had gone to school with for four years prior and the small town I grew up in. These were things I had too often taken for granted, and I had no idea how much I would miss them until they were gone.

Missouri FFA members, you are going to encounter so much change in your journey through FFA and through life. Whether it be moving schools, switching up your SAE or simply starting the new school year, there is so much change in all of our lives. I encourage us all to live each season of life as though it’s our last. We never know when the time in one chapter of our life is over and a new one will begin, so embrace the seasons of change!

Aug 20 2024

Peewee

2024-2025, Gavin Rhode

Gavin Rhode, Secretary

Think back on some of the most nostalgic memories you have from your childhood. Maybe you are thinking of roller skating parties, visiting the zoo or buying a freezing cold ice cream sandwich from everyone’s favorite Sweet Treat Truck. Now for me … my memory is a little bit different. Let me set the stage for you a little bit.

It is a steaming hot day right in the middle of July. People are walking around, stressed out of their minds, covered in sweat and hoping for the best. I can still remember the sounds, smells and noises of that day. Right at this moment, reality officially sets in. I am about to walk into the show ring for the very first time. This was a moment my family and I had been looking forward to for years! Now, time for the buzzkill. Unfortunately it was just peewee showmanship at the Clinton County Fair and it was just my brother’s Hereford heifer, Tess. However, this is still a moment that will stick out to me for the rest of my life. Getting the chance to officially walk in that ring and be awarded with my trophy made me the happiest boy in the world. That trophy is still on display in my room to this day.

Fast forward 12 long years, I am now showing a string full of cattle and pigs, while taking them all over the country to compete at the highest level. I’m making tons of memories each and every day and meeting new people everywhere I go. The one thing that has stayed constant throughout my entire experience – I still go back and show at the Clinton County Fair each and every year. Getting the opportunity to continue on my own legacy at the county fair is awesome. Instead of participating in peewee showmanship this year, I exhibited the Grand Champion heifer and bull, as well as Reserve Champion market barrow. I get to set the example to the younger generation now, that mentors set for me long ago. Missouri FFA, never forget where you started. Most importantly, never lose the peewee spirit.

2024-2025

Embracing Vulnerability: Finding Strength Through Struggles

What’s Your Brand?

Finding Success Where You Are

Love Your People

Progress over Perfection

Take The First Step

The Joy of Today

Looking Through A Different Lens

Seasons of Change

Peewee

Missouri FFA Association

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