The Jacket

It doesn’t fit anymore, but I still have it. It is faded a bit and my kids have tried it on. All the pins are still in place. It has been almost 35 years since I’ve had it on. That jacket, in that box in our basement has more memories and more learning than all of my other high school classes combined.

This is National FFA week. I’ve taken the time this week to reflect on what FFA has meant to our industry, to my career and to Beck Ag.

The Future Farmers of America; thirty-five years ago we didn’t just use the acronym. We were all involved in FFA because we dreamed of being farmers. Back then, we didn’t really understand the scale of the industry that all comes together to support the production of our world’s food and fiber.

FFA has helped prepare so many of us for this mission that is agriculture. FFA taught me so much more than parliamentary procedure and welding. Today I am honored to have a number of FFA alums work with me at Beck Ag. They bring the experienced talent that started when they put on the jacket. Consistently, FFA members bring with them:

• A Passion for Agriculture and Learning
• A Drive to deliver excellence in all they do
• A Loyalty to the industry, its mission and purpose
• A commitment to the next generation; to the future

I’m proud to have worn the jacket, and to work in an organization where there are many more jackets in boxes, possibly a few that have been taken out this week and tried on.