Editor’s note: The following essays were submitted by officers of the Northern Burlington County Regional High School Future Farmers of America chapter describing their experiences in the program.
I am the current chapter president of the Northern Burlington FFA Chapter. I joined the FFA almost four years ago and have been very active since my freshman year.
At the start of my freshman year I was starting in a school that was brand new to me and I knew no one. During freshman orientation I saw an FFA display and two people in blue corduroy jackets; I decided to check it out; thinking it would be a good way to meet new people and possibly make some friends. I talked to them for a while and found out they were chapter officers from the high school chapter; I told them I would be at the next meeting. This was the start of my involvement in the FFA.
Throughout my freshman year I was active with helping out wherever I could and attending every meeting that year. Toward the end of the year the chapter officers were looking for active members to become chapter officers, so I sat down and filled out a chapter officer application then handed it in to Mr. Hlubik, one of the advisors. I then waited to hear back from an advisor and when I did I was surprised to hear that they, in fact, wanted me to be a chapter officer in my sophomore year.
At the start of my sophomore year I was feeling good. I was going to be the parliamentarian for my FFA chapter; I was going to be able to help out in chapter events and help run the meetings, it was a good feeling. So, at this point, not only am I part of a nationwide organization but I am also making friends with people that I would most likely have never met if I were not in the FFA. During that year I competed in the Land Judging Career Development Event (CDE). It was a great experience through which I learned how to properly examine soil and determine its ability to support anything from farmland to housing. I also learned how to determine the slope of the land by finding the elevation change from one end of the area to the other. I was presented with the opportunity to attend the State FFA Convention that year as well. I attended for three days, went to every session and enjoyed listening to the people speak about opportunities in the FFA at local, state, and national levels.
I served as a chapter officer during my junior and senior years also. In my junior year I competed in the New Jersey State Agricultural Mechanics CDE. There were four of us on the team; we placed first in the state as a team, I placed fourth individually. Not only did this placing make us eligible to compete in the largest competition in the northeast, we also represented New Jersey at the National Agricultural Mechanics CDE during the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Now it is my senior year and I am serving as president of my chapter.After high school I plan to go to Washington State University to study mechanical engineering. I know that my involvement in FFA has definitely helped me become a better leader.
—Jacob Way
My family has been a part of Northern Burlington FFA for many generations. My dad was in FFA, my uncles were in FFA, my brother was in FFA, and my cousins are in FFA. I have been an FFA member since I was in seventh grade.
This year, as a junior, I serve as the Chapter Historian. My job is to document the events and activities of the chapter along with the Chapter Reporter, Clint Carty. Clint and I also work together to prepare slide presentations for the Chapter meetings. I have learned a lot about how to take, choose, and show pictures using the computer.FFA has taught me a lot about life also. It has helped me with public speaking, becoming a better leader, and more. I have learned life skills like becoming a better person, making new friends, and helping others.
I have a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) working with and helping my father who is a fourth generation farmer. Our family farm is 250 acres of which we farm about 150 acres. We also rent about 1,000 acres of farmland. I have learned a lot from my dad about farming and how to “live off the land.” He has taught me many skills I will use in the future. I can drive and operate every piece of machinery on the farm, from the two bottom plow with a John Deere 4020 to the John Deere 9500 crop harvester and everything in between. We have a shop where we work on tractors and equipment. I have learned to weld, replace tires on wheels and rebuild tractors. I am also learning about the stock market and when to sell the crops we harvest. I know I will have these life skills for my entire life and will be a better well-rounded individual because of them.
—Levi Wainwright
Leadership opportunities abound in the FFA. Whether you are a member of your high school chapter, a chapter officer, advisor, or even a parent there is something for you. At the chapter level FFA members assume leadership roles by running for chapter office or serving on committees related to chapter business. Once elected into office, officers attend a Chapter Officer Leadership Training (COLT) which is run by the NJ State FFA Officer Team. At COLT chapter officers learn how to be good leaders and work as a team with their other officers. The chapter officers take their COLT experiences back to their home chapter by being role models for other members. Throughout the year, many chapters assign committees to do certain jobs. FFA members and officers can show leadership by chairing a committee. Taking responsibility in a committee shows dedication and willingness to cooperate with other members of the committee and chapter. At the state level, leaders can be found at the State FFA Convention working with the Courtesy Corps; or representing their chapter as a delegate. Courtesy Corps members help the State Officers with running of the program, doing odd jobs and coordinating the movement of attendees. Delegates vote on questions related to State FFA Organization and National FFA Association business and represent their Chapter’s opinion. The ultimate leadership role for a member is to serve as a National FFA Officer. Members who aspire to this role spend a great deal of time preparing for public speaking and practicing their people skills. At all levels the leadership roles provided teach necessary life skills.
—Heather Shinn

