By Jack Lingenfelter, National FFA Southern Region Vice President
About a year ago, I was honored with the title of National FFA Southern Region Vice President. This was the beginning of an incredible journey of traveling across the country, meeting students of all backgrounds, and sharing all that I could about how FFA, formerly known as Future Farmers of America, can transform their lives.
With the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo kicking off later this month—meaning thousands of students will be traveling to Indianapolis to network and learn from one another—I see this as the perfect time to showcase the not-so-evident benefits of FFA.
While I thought I would be impacting students’ lives, I’ve been the one who has changed the most
FFA has a way of stretching you in more ways than one. When it was announced that I’d be in a leadership position, I immediately felt I had an immense responsibility to teach and inspire as many students as possible. But my takeaway was that, even as a leader, I was the one walking away from every student engagement having learned something new about myself and how to interact with others.
Character development is really at the core of everything we do through FFA. While many of the external accomplishments focus on projects and successes within the classroom, the lasting impact is the positive character traits exhibited by middle and high school students across the country who are involved in FFA. We’re living in a time when mental health, connection and community aren’t just things that we’d “like to have” – each is vital to the health of our future.
We must continue to serve and connect with others
A large part of my travels this past year to different school systems was witnessing what students are doing for their local communities. And the truth is, community service and connecting with others in person isn’t necessarily always easy, but it’s so valuable. It takes something out of you for the greater good. FFA is about being selfless and giving to others through education and servant leadership, which sometimes is something as simple as an in-person conversation. It’s also about having a willingness to be a mentor to others who are eager to learn and grow.
There’s something so powerful about community and giving back. There was a moment during my trip when I knew I was in desperate need of community – it was during a visit to Tennessee when I was feeling especially homesick. I had arrived on a late Sunday evening at a place called Camp Clements, the oldest FFA camp in the country. A few state FFA officers were there, and we all ended up gathering around a piano, staying up until midnight playing music and singing. I remember sitting there thinking how blessed I was to have an experience during a time I was feeling homesick and doubting my purpose. In a simple moment of connectedness through music, these officers created a sense of home for me. I’ll never forget it.
We’re stronger together
In FFA, there’s truly nothing more unifying than the iconic blue jacket, corduroy and stitching that FFA members are known for wearing. I feel so grateful and humbled to have had the privilege of being the National FFA Southern Region Vice President and representing the great state of Georgia. There’s something truly so special about this organization, and I want to wrap up my time in this chapter of life with one piece of advice for any student considering FFA: If you have any ounce of fear or reservation, be it public speaking, not having an agricultural background, etc., know that fear can sometimes be a good thing! Fear can be an indicator that your next step in life is a really big deal, and change can mean growth and connection. The lived experience of being an FFA member is bigger than any words I could ever try to say to describe it.
There’s a place for everyone in FFA. For me, it’s been my faith, friendships and community that have grown me in more ways than I’ll ever be able to count. I look forward to seeing the growth of FFA in my own state and throughout the country in the years to come!
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Jack Lingenfelter, 2024-2025 National FFA Southern Region Vice President, is a Coffee County native. He is currently taking a gap year from his Agribusiness program at the University of Georgia.