For some of us this year was
the first time we had the opportunity to experience National FFA Week and all
that it offers to students majoring in agriculture and FFA members across the
nation. For others, it was the fifth or sixth time we have experienced National
FFA Week which I would like to call its
own holiday; for me this was the case. I have had a multitude of
different FFA week experiences; however none of them quite compared to this
year. I got involved in different events outside of my home chapter which
allowed me to have a different perspective of the so-called holiday to those of
us who eat, sleep, live and breathe FFA.
Take a moment to think about
how it can be refreshing to see a different perspective of the "same
view."
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| Packaging food at Harvester's |
To kick-off FFA week the state officer team started at the state capitol in Topeka where we visited with Secretary of Agriculture Dale Rodman and Governor Sam Brownback as well as Senate Aricultural Committee Chair Garrett Love. In each one of these different meeting we saw a different perspective of the Kansas government and what different views these individuals had about agriculture. In addition to this we were also introduced on the House of Representatives Floor which for me was a whole new perspective of the law making process. We also helped to kick off the Neighbors to Neighbors Food Drive at Harvesters.
On a cold Tuesday morning, Denver
and I were blessed with the opportunity to interact with the Wilson FFA Chapter.
We learned more about the three circles of the agricultural education model
from a facilitator’s perspective instead of a students while we shared more
about the model to seventh and eighth graders.
We also discovered more about personal securities and self-confidence
and how both of those aspects are important to help us grow into the people we
are destined to become.
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| Wilson FFA Members |
Later that afternoon we
visited with a past state officer who served in 1957-58 and was the Kansas
National Officer Candidate. Getting his
view of what FFA and agricultural education meant was a totally different view which
provided me with an opportunity for personal growth. By coincidence I actually knew this man. He lives rather close to me and I have hunted
on the ground right next to his. It was
interesting to learn about him from a different viewpoint than the man who we
spoke to on the road in passing.
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| Lloyd Oswald (past state officer) |
The Ellis FFA visit was one
where we also had the opportunity to learn more about the three circle model
and we spent time getting to know the eighth graders on a more in-depth
level.
Over the next week or so I challenge
you to think about things that you do every day from a different perspective
and see what changes you might make or what growth opportunities you can find.
Stay Classy Kansas FFA
