Allison Schneider, VP

VICE PRESIDENT 2022-2023

Diversified Livestock Production Ownership, Agriculture Services, Agriculture Design and Fabrication Placement

I had a conversation with my advisor when I was in 7th grade, and he told me I would be a state officer, following in my mom’s footsteps. Little did I know his words would come to fruition.. I have been surrounded by state officers my entire life. In addition to my mom, my boss, my boss’s manager and my mentor also served as Missouri state FFA officers. The way they connect and inspire others is a quality  I aspire to possess. While I looked up to many state officers, I was not certain that I wanted to run until this past fall. On the bus ride returning from the National FFA Convention, I experienced that “moment” everyone talks about. I realized that I was not ready to take off my blue jacket. I wanted to continue to work with members across the state, building opportunities for them, helping them find their passion, and building connections with people of all ages in agriculture. What motivated me to run for state office was simply the possibility of passion that I could spark, the opportunities I can build and the Silex freshman class that pushed me out of my comfort zone, inspired me to work harder and never give in.

What a hard question for me to answer! I could answer this question in about 20 different ways — my mom, grandpa (papa), cousin Bailey, Aunt Jennifer, my boss Kyle Allen, my dad, my advisors Mr. O’Brien and Mrs. Lasater, Cody Morris or a lot more.  But if I had to pick just one person, it would be my Papa. From the time I was old enough to run down the farmhouse sidewalk to meet him on his tractor, he has instilled in me a passion for agriculture. He attended every event possible from preschool graduation to state convention to watch me get installed as a state officer and receive my State FFA Degree. Every spring growing up consisted of finishing homework as quickly as possible so I could climb into the planter tractor buddy seat to ride with Papa. He is always there for a good tractor ride, talk and a good laugh. He works day in and day out in production agriculture. Papa makes everyone around him better, and he finds the best in everyone. He is the type of person I aspire to be.

My future plans are to work with the greatest people in the world — farmers. This coming fall I will be attending the University of Missouri- Columbia where I plan to major in agribusiness management with a minor in plant science focusing in agronomy. I hope to pursue a career with seed sales and eventually would like to own my own seed dealership.

We all have the one thing that others call us “weird” for. I have learned to embrace my weirdness and it has fuel my passion. I straight up say I am passionate about corn. I legitimately got 7 things related to corn this past Christmas.

Be YOU! 100% fully you. I know this sounds cheesy and everyone tells you to just be yourself but we still spend too much trying to fit in, be the cool and popular kids and stay with the status quote. I am here to tell you I lived that lie for a long time and let me be the first to tell you, life is so much more fun being you. Whatever you are, do and be that!