From the Dust Bowl and Great Depression of the 1930s, to the American farm crisis of the 1980s to the unprecedented floods of 1993 and even to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, our industry has persevered one struggle at a time. Agriculturalists embody resilience and adaptability. FFA members, you too can become adaptable to whatever life throws your way.

Becoming adaptable to life’s situations is something that many of us are not good at. There are a few guiding principles that can help us develop this ability.

“The first step in solving a problem is to recognize that it does exist,” author Zig Ziglar wrote. Acknowledging the circumstances we encounter and the personal weaknesses that got us there will help us be more adaptable to potholes down the road.

The second step to adaptability is to analyze how others that were faced with a challenge overcame their situation. Understanding how they busted through their roadblocks can help us emerge victorious.

The final step to adaptability is finding a mentor to guide us through this thing we call life. Having a mentor who has walked in our shoes can increase our chances of success when hitting those bumpy spots in life.

The FFA Creed states, “I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny”. FFA members, the time will come when we face hours of discouragement. Know these words by Robert Schuller, “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” Just as our industry has adapted and persevered through every obstacle, you too can adapt. Don’t let anything keep you from your dreams.

—By Andrew Moore, state FFA vice president, Clark County FFA