Blog Post 1

    I can remember the very first time that I put on my FFA jacket like it was yesterday. A young freshman excited for what all I had to experience in the next four years. The feeling of excitement and uncertainty for what laid ahead as I zipped up that blue corduroy for the first time is something that I wish I could experience again. However, the sense of pride that I got with every time I zipped that same jacket up again is something that I wouldn't trade for anything.
 
  To anyone else this jacket might just be an ugly jacket that the weird ag kids wore, but to me it was everything. It was almost a part of my identity. I was so proud to be a member of the FFA that I wanted everyone to know that I was, and the only way to be sure of that was when I was in official dress wearing my jacket.

  In this jacket I learned so much. I learned about a variety of life skills such as how to speak in public, parliamentary procedure, or even how to keep your panty hose from running. I learned how to interact with important public figures, and to make sure that I represented myself, my chapter, and my organization while doing so.  I learned about livestock in my jacket. I learned that there's a lot more to agriculture than just raising animals and planting seeds.  I think the most important thing that I learned in my jacket was about myself. I learned that I am strong, smart, kind and courageous.

  One day I hope to be able to pass down my FFA jacket to my children. I hope that by doing this they will be able to fall in love with the same organization that I did years before. Also, I hope to inspire a passion for agriculture that they will be able to continue to pass down. I can only hope that they are able to find them self in that jacket the way that I did. I want them to become well educated and confident and I strongly believe that wearing that jacket with pride is the best way to do so. Also, I hope that they learn to take pride in the bigger picture than just in their own success. Yes, it might be nice to succeed on your own, but the memories and skills that come with the success of teamwork are beyond compare.
   
   I fear that by the time I have children agriculture will be even less respected than it is now. That is why I want to pass down my jacket to them. They will be the new generation, and it will be up to them to keep the passion alive, and keep the agriculture industry respected.