OSTELIC – Otselic Valley Students on Wednesday received life lessons from state and national officers of the Future Farmers of America, giving them and the organization a chance to network and grow.
Students gathered for an assembly Wednesday morning to hear FFA National Secretary Mitch Baker, joined by the six-member team of FFA state officers, speak a little about the organization, its purpose, and its value to teaching more than just agricultural practices.
The stop at Otselic Valley was only one on a 1,100-plus mile trek the team has made throughout the state since Monday, said Juleah Tolosky, Executive Secretary for the New York State chapter of the FFA. The group made additional stops Wednesday in Steuben and Cayuga counties, and attended a conference Wednesday evening in Western New York.
“It’s been a varied tour this year,” said Tolosky. “We do one tour each year, and every year is different. FFA officers will go back to these schools later this year and work with students in a more focused way through workshops, goal setting, and promoting active teamwork.”
Baker, a Tennessee native and sophomore studying at the University of Tennessee, spoke to students of the importance of stepping out of their “comfort zone” and exploring new opportunities – one of the practices promoted by the FFA to further its mission to develop leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
“There are a lot of clubs and teams and groups inside and outside of our school that we think we may want to join because we think we may be intered in them,” Baker said to students. “But we don’t know why we’re not taking that opportunity.”
Baker added, “When it comes to adventure, it’s staring us in the face a lot of times, but we never realize it ... Some of you are thinking about college, and it might scare you to have the opportunity to get out of your school or out of town. When we have those feelings of uncertainty, when we feel nervous or anxious, that’s just life telling us this is an opportunity worth taking.”
The Future Farmers of America has more than 4,000 student members statewide and more than 610,000 student members across the country. The 86-year-old organization was established to prepare future generations for the challenges of feeding a growing population, but ultimately teaches that there’s more to agriculture than planting and harvesting. The organization also ties in principles of science and business math in its curriculum.
“These kinds of visits are always a great recruitment opportunity, especially for kids who haven’t been exposed to FFA,” said Tolosky.
Otselic Valley agricultural teacher Betty Ann Robinson said, “We’re fortunate to already have quite a few students involved in FFA. This is a great opportunity for them to talk with a national representative.”
While it’s still too early to tell if the visit will grow student involvement in FFA at Otselic Valley, “It’s not going to hurt,” Robinson added. “It’s always nice when national officers come here because they can show the most positive and professional side of FFA.”
New York State FFA officers visiting the school included Crystal Hayner, president; Jessica Ossont, vice president; Kent Stark, secretary; Jennifer Rhoades, treasurer; Grace Lowry, executive secretary; Coleman O’Hara, reporter; and Christopher O’Hara, sentinel.