Jaden Kultgen, Vice President
CHAPTER
Mt Vernon FFA
HOMETOWN
Aurora, Missouri
COLLEGE
MAJOR
Plant Science – Crop Management
For my SAE, in 2020 I started working at a local pizza restaurant. In December of 2021 I wanted to get more involved in agriculture and started working for farmers in my area. I worked for Brett Martin, a local chicken producer who had around 8 barns. At the same time I was also working for Jim Shepherd, a local cattle producer. Since October I now work at the University of Missouri Southwest Research Farm working with Andy Thomas on horticulture research.
I wanted to be a state officer to serve FFA members. FFA wouldn’t be what it is without its members and serving them in this position is nothing but the highest honor. I did not grow up on a farm or involved in the ag world. It was through FFA that I obtained my love and passion for agriculture and everything it has to offer. I now want to be involved in agriculture for the rest of my life and someday own my own farm. The amount of connections, resources, and skills that I have obtained will allow me to succeed in whatever I do. I became a state officer because I wanted other members like myself to realize these opportunities and seize them to not only better themselves but the world around them.
I hope to leave behind the legacy of someone who was just down to earth and anyone can have a conversation with. Sometimes the worst days can be fixed with just a conversation with someone. I hope that members will see me as someone they can talk to without the worry of judgment or exclusion.
After my year of service as a state officer, I plan to do a study abroad program in college. I hope to do some internships next summer in order to help me find my career path. After college I hope to someday have my own farm.
I am an Eagle Scout with all three palms, and I love going on backpacking trips for weeks at a time.
The best advice I can give to members is, “Don’t Knock it Before You Try it.” This is by far the best attitude you can have in life. Don’t say you won’t enjoy something or it’s “not for you” until you try it for the first time. I started my FFA career with this attitude and missed out on some great opportunities. I highly encourage you to try everything at least once because your life passion might be one new experience away.