New Perspectives

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."

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. 

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. 

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