09/18/2026
When I was first hired for this position, many advisors I knew, along with the CSU team, warned all first-year advisors of one very important thing: don’t try to implement extensive change in your first two years. Those upperclassmen are set in their ways, and not every hill is the one you need to die on.
And while I can honestly say I have loved every single student I’ve had the opportunity to work with during my time here, I also can’t lie when I say I’ve had a dream of our first chapter meeting looking exactly like tonight.
Tonight, we handled business. We laughed. We enjoyed each other’s company over dinner. And, for the first time ever, we broke into our POA committees and got to work.
When I was learning the ropes of this position, students would often tell me things they wanted to do, and my instinct was to just take the idea and plan it for them. But if we are going to get back to what FFA is truly supposed to be — a student-led organization — then our students have to actually have a seat at the table.
Tonight, we chose our committee chairs and secretaries, broke into our three main committees, and started planning some of our biggest and most important events. They weren’t just told what was happening. They were given the opportunity to decide, create, lead, and take ownership.
And honestly? This meeting was exactly what I’ve been picturing.
It was one of those moments where you look around the room and realize that all the little steps, conversations, growing pains, and patience are starting to turn into something bigger.
This growth is just the beginning. Swink FFA has some BIG goals ahead, and I hope you all stick around to watch it grow, cheer these kids on, and support them along the way.
And because today is National Teach Ag Day, I also want to take a moment to say thank you to all of the agriculture teachers who have ever given me a vote of confidence, been a listening ear, served as a sounding board, or reminded me that I have only just begun in this role and that it all takes time.
Your encouragement has meant more than you probably realize.
To every Ag Teacher who pours into their students, their chapter, and the teachers coming up behind them — thank you. You inspire me daily, and I hope you’ve had the best National Teach Ag Day. 💙💛
Here’s to building something great, one student-led idea at a time. 🌽🐄
