This One Goes Out to the FFA Member
The one who wakes up at 5 in the morning
To feed the cattle before the pancake breakfast.
The one who sorts fruit all day long
And is still there to comb over each and every checklist.
Speaking of fruit sales, this is to the member who raises thousands of dollars
With no need for recognition, instead they shift it to the officers.
We know them as brothers or sisters, friends and family
They will grow up to be farmers, ranchers, doctors or philosophers.
When we think of those who serve and guide, they are often forgotten
But when you look back and realize the work they have done, we are left speechless.
They were never officers and they never left their chapter
Often others looked at them and said, "These guys are teachless".
But these are the members who guided our CDE teams and worked the hardest in their SAEs
But to most they were "just a member".
So as we go through this week, remember those who served without recognition
And think of where those members will be and what they will achieve, for they are a contender.
As most of you know, this week is National FFA Week. As I was looking back, my memories of those who made a difference in my life and guided me on my journey revolved around the officers that I had seen in my time. I thought of Chapter Presidents, region officers, state officers and of course, national officers. However, I realized my mistake in thinking that this was all that there was to the week.
With National FFA Week comes the onslaught of pictures of corduroy jackets in one's newsfeed. It was when I saw a picture of a national officer in his first corduroy jacket that it first clicked for me; every National President was first an awkward greenhand. No one had the ability to jump to the top without earning their own at the bottom. Trust me, for I had my own awkward stage (as you can see I rocked the curly hair, glasses and braces combo).
This all led to the realization that the power of this national organization lies within the members for without them, no officer would have anyone to lead. I am sure we have heard this many times before but how often do we take a step back to realize the reality of this statement?
Too often do we overlook the power that these members have on our organization and what an impact they can make. Whether we see that impact in the moment, look back on what they have done, or watch them as they move towards the future, we will see the true potential they hold. The truly unfathomable aspect of this potential though? We do not know what a member will be capable of. When we go to our chapter meeting, we could be looking at the next National FFA President or the next President of the United States. We could also be talking to the next biggest supporter of that very own chapter after they come back to farm the land they know and love.
When we think of past FFA members, the notable ones that pop out are President Jimmy Carter, Taylor Swift and the countless other country singers. Those are all nice to highlight but take a moment to think about the FFA members that you have seen in your life and what they have been able to accomplish with their experiences.
For me, the most notable FFA member is my FFA advisor and agricultural education instructor, Jeff Eppen. Eppen is a man that has given me guidance over my years and pushed me to become more involved in the organization. Even though I was the clueless city kid who asked a thousand questions, he helped me every step of the way. I was able to do the things I have done because he believed in me to move forward.
Eppen was never a chapter officer but he was called to change the world through his work as an ag teacher. Students from across the nation will not remember the retiring address he never gave in a stadium of 10,000+ members but I will remember the countless life chats we had and the advice he gave me along the way. This is a man who's work has led him to receive numerous awards including Young MN Ag Teacher of the Year and National ACTE Outstanding Teacher in Community Service. To most he was "just a member" but to me he was a life changer.
This past summer, the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History went on a search for five corduroy jackets to highlight the past of the National FFA Organization. Among these jackets include notable members but there is one that seems unconnected to the rest. This jacket belongs to Karlene Lindow Krueger, an FFA member from Wisconsin.
Karlene never held a chapter office but what she did accomplish would open the door for many others beyond her. Karlene happens to be the first female to ever earn the title of Star Farmer. She broke through the barriers that were in front of her and served as a guidance for the future generation. To most she was "just a member" but to the FFA world she was a game changer.
Let me tell you about two FFA members, one fiction and one real, that shared the National FFA Organization with a nation. Jared Hess and Napoleon Dynamite highlighted the organization for nationwide audience through a film that grossed over $45 million in revenue. Jared Ness himself was a former FFA member and under his direction, Napoleon was portrayed as the same.
The striking thing about this situation is that Hess did not think to portray Napoleon as a national officer or even a chapter officer, he showed us your typical member. You may realize that the picture of FFA that is portrayed in the film is not on point in most aspects, but realistically how many of our own members go out in official dress every time? This film shared an organization that we all love with an audience that had never even heard the letters F-F-A put together in that order. The power of one member was enough to share our message with an entire nation. To most Hess was "just a member" but to the nation he was a messenger.
I firmly believe that the average FFA member does not get enough credit where it is so righteously due. Hopefully this post has helped you think of the members that you have known throughout your journey and the power they once held and the power they continue to hold today. These members have the potential to lead a nation and impact the future of agriculture. Simply because they never held a leadership position in their chapter, or ran for a position and were turned down, does not take away from their potential to invest in others along their journeys.
Without the member, our FFA programs would not run. The hard work and dedication they put into the runnings and financing of the chapter are necessary for the future of our organization. Without my advisor, I would not be the man I am today. Each one of these influential people were seen as "just members" but they were able to impact the world of those around them. As you move forward, do not forget the power and importance of the member.
When we think of past FFA members, the notable ones that pop out are President Jimmy Carter, Taylor Swift and the countless other country singers. Those are all nice to highlight but take a moment to think about the FFA members that you have seen in your life and what they have been able to accomplish with their experiences.
For me, the most notable FFA member is my FFA advisor and agricultural education instructor, Jeff Eppen. Eppen is a man that has given me guidance over my years and pushed me to become more involved in the organization. Even though I was the clueless city kid who asked a thousand questions, he helped me every step of the way. I was able to do the things I have done because he believed in me to move forward.Eppen was never a chapter officer but he was called to change the world through his work as an ag teacher. Students from across the nation will not remember the retiring address he never gave in a stadium of 10,000+ members but I will remember the countless life chats we had and the advice he gave me along the way. This is a man who's work has led him to receive numerous awards including Young MN Ag Teacher of the Year and National ACTE Outstanding Teacher in Community Service. To most he was "just a member" but to me he was a life changer.
This past summer, the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History went on a search for five corduroy jackets to highlight the past of the National FFA Organization. Among these jackets include notable members but there is one that seems unconnected to the rest. This jacket belongs to Karlene Lindow Krueger, an FFA member from Wisconsin.
Karlene never held a chapter office but what she did accomplish would open the door for many others beyond her. Karlene happens to be the first female to ever earn the title of Star Farmer. She broke through the barriers that were in front of her and served as a guidance for the future generation. To most she was "just a member" but to the FFA world she was a game changer.
Let me tell you about two FFA members, one fiction and one real, that shared the National FFA Organization with a nation. Jared Hess and Napoleon Dynamite highlighted the organization for nationwide audience through a film that grossed over $45 million in revenue. Jared Ness himself was a former FFA member and under his direction, Napoleon was portrayed as the same.
The striking thing about this situation is that Hess did not think to portray Napoleon as a national officer or even a chapter officer, he showed us your typical member. You may realize that the picture of FFA that is portrayed in the film is not on point in most aspects, but realistically how many of our own members go out in official dress every time? This film shared an organization that we all love with an audience that had never even heard the letters F-F-A put together in that order. The power of one member was enough to share our message with an entire nation. To most Hess was "just a member" but to the nation he was a messenger.I firmly believe that the average FFA member does not get enough credit where it is so righteously due. Hopefully this post has helped you think of the members that you have known throughout your journey and the power they once held and the power they continue to hold today. These members have the potential to lead a nation and impact the future of agriculture. Simply because they never held a leadership position in their chapter, or ran for a position and were turned down, does not take away from their potential to invest in others along their journeys.
Without the member, our FFA programs would not run. The hard work and dedication they put into the runnings and financing of the chapter are necessary for the future of our organization. Without my advisor, I would not be the man I am today. Each one of these influential people were seen as "just members" but they were able to impact the world of those around them. As you move forward, do not forget the power and importance of the member.
