April 30 - May 4, 2008
Who knew an FFA member could win a trip to our nation's capital simply by composing their thoughts on managing their SAE risks? Well, I was in for a treat as I met up with the top ten winners selected by the United States Department of Agriculture's Risk Management Agency in Washington, D.C., based on their essays. Adam, Clayton, Eric K., Courtney, Eric P., Jeremy, James, Lacey, Amanda, Blaise and I enjoyed spending time together at monuments, meeting with congressmen and women, speaking with Secretary of Agriculture Shafer, touring the White House with former FFA members and past national FFA officers, and even took a walk around the city at around 10:00pm our last night together. It was a blast, and I cannot wait to see these new friends at convention this fall!
NLCSO Dress Rehearsal
May 4 - 17, 2008
Discover the Rhythm! This is the theme of our upcoming NLCSO conferences. We are so excited to meet the new state FFA officer teams, help them to grow and develop, and to build lasting relationships with those who will one day be in our shoes. Well, at Texas A & M, my partner, Zach, and I spent a week preparing for our four-day conference with 16 agricultural leadership students. We had so much fun as we spent time trying out our facilitation and teaching these college basketball stars, future businessmen and women, and even a few masters students. After spending some meaningful time with my teammates, we headed out - ready for the great days ahead with state FFA officers from all across the country!
Shenandoah FFA Banquet and Convention Preparation
May 17 - 20, 2008
It is not often we get to see old friends during our national FFA officer travels. When we do, though, we treasure every minute. Mr. Hickey, Ms. Warner and the talented members at the Shenandoah FFA Chapter welcomed me back to speak at their FFA banquet with more than 400 in attendance. My mom, sister and grandmother came up to visit, and I was overjoyed to see them and my other friends in Middletown! Shenandoah FFA, you all are not only successful and kind, you are inspirational. Thank You! After I said goodbye, I spent some time with the Indiana FFA state officers and other friends as I prepared for my fifth state FFA convention in New Jersey.
New Jersey FFA Convention
May 20 - 22, 2008
Some of the smaller conventions are also some of the most fun. I arrived in New Jersey to spend a little time with New Jersey FFA as they prepared for the coming event. While there, I even had the opportunity to teach some members how to play hacky. We had a blast! Even though I missed the final two sessions in the Garden State, I built some really strong relationships, and I cannot wait to see all of you from New Jersey again!
Home Time and State Convention Preparation
May 22 - 29, 2008
As an FFA member who also, "lives and works on a good farm," I was blessed with the chance to spend some time cutting, bailing, hauling, and stacking wheat-hay while back in Haubstadt, Indiana. (The photos were both taken in one of our wheat fields as I cut one afternoon just behind our farm and watched the sun set that evening)
Along with my dad, brothers, and mom, we knocked out this season of harvesting both round and square bales for our dairy and beef. While I was home, I also went to see "Iron Man" with my friends, watched my fourth-grade brother, Blake, win his baseball game, and I got ready for my next six weeks on the road. It was refreshing to see my family and friends, get my hands dirty, and start working on that incredible farmer's tan!
Connecticut FFA Convention
May 29 - June 2, 2008
After arriving and being picked up by state staff, I was able to go to two states I had never been in prior to now: Connecticut and Massachusetts. That's right! Mr. Natusch took me to his lake house, and he let me kayak for about an hour on a Massachusetts lake. It was great! I could really get a feel for the northeast before Tyler August, their state president, and I visited Storrs Regional for their banquet. The Connecticut state officers and I relaxed as we visited over the one day of preparation and one day of convention. After we parted, I ended up staying in Connecticut for an extra night due to mechanical flight issues. Then, I was 110 percent excited to visit the deep south for the first time ever!
Mississippi FFA Convention
June 2 - 4, 2008
Talk about value! Each and every minute in Mississippi there were things for these 500 members to experience. Actually, an hour after I arrived, I hosted a 165 student workshop, followed by a different workshop with over 100 students there, again! That evening I gave a keynote address, and throughout convention, if I wasn't at a dance, emceeing a talent show, auctioning items for Alumni, or eating Cajun food with FFA members, I was spending time with the current junior or senior state officer teams. It was an exciting, jam-packed convention that I was sad to leave. (Props to Aaron on his new office as Junior FFA President! Thanks for the call, buddy!)
Arkansas FFA Convention
June 4 - 7, 2008
Arkansas FFA members, advisors and others embraced me as one of their own. I felt at home though I was several states south of my Indiana home. This 1,200-member convention is held at their FFA Camp, and it brought me back to a more traditional FFA era - with BBQ's, cabins, a lake, and sleeping in bunk-beds! I felt more at home in Arkansas than I have in most states. Their hospitality, energy, enthusiasm, optimism, and understanding would astound you. Don't get me wrong, I knew there would be "Southern Hospitality," but never did I realize I would feel as if I was among old friends the very minute I arrived! I am grateful to have been chosen to spend some time in Arkansas as my final convention before my home, Boilermaker convention. It was likely the most energetic convention hall thus far... and it didn't stop there. After their convention was adjourned, two past state officers took me to an amusement park: Magic Springs. We had an absolute blast in Arkansas! Thanks, friends.
NLCSO Preparation at Zach's House
June 7 - Present
Now, I am at Zach's working on final preparations for NLCSO in Wyoming. We have ridden horses with Gerren, Zach's cousin, had a bon fire with the family, and have enjoyed catching up on our lives since we last parted in Texas. All of my teammates and I are so excited for our final conventions and for visiting with the new officers at our NLCSO's this June and July. State officers, see you soon!
Thank you for keeping up with the crazy schedule of national FFA office. It has truly, sincerely been the time of my life, and I cannot wait for what is just around the corner for the summer. I hope our paths cross soon enough!
Your friend,
Tyler
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