FFA Corner: Members prepare for year as National FFA officers

National FFA officers are given the responsibility to represent the over 850,000 members of the National FFA Organization by being advocates for agriculture, agricultural education and FFA.

The officers chosen to represent National FFA for the 2022-3023 term are: President Andrew Seibel, Virginia; Secretary Jessica Herr, Pennsylvania; Western Region Vice President Ryan Williamson, Texas: Southern Region Vice President MacKenna Clifton, North Carolina; Central Region Vice President Karstyn Cantrell, Oklahoma; and Eastern Region Vice President Gracie Murphy, Illinois.

In order to become national officers, these six, along with the other 29 candidates, had to be selected as their state’s candidate, then participate in a series of interviews with the National FFA Nominating Committee.

On Saturday, Oct. 29, the National FFA Nominating Committee announced the six members they chose to represent the National FFA Organization for the coming year.

After the election, the six newly elected officers were whisked away for pictures and interviews, spending just a little bit of time with their families and supporters.

Following the convention, the officers traveled to Trafalgar, Indiana, for some initial team bonding activities, where they discovered why the six of them were chosen to serve.

While national officers work extensively to represent the voice of the organization, it is important that these six officers have a healthy relationship that encourages each of them to be their best and lean on their team when they need to.

Following the team bonding time at Trafalgar, the officers participated in some brief media training.

The officers have the opportunity to get interviewed an immense amount throughout their year of service and beyond, so it is crucial they understand how to advocate for the organization in an appropriate and accurate manner.

The six officers left Indianapolis on Nov. 3 and have been spending this month finishing up their semester of college and soaking up moments with their friends and family before being engulfed in the responsibilities that come with their new positions.

The officers planned to head back to the National FFA Center on Dec. 5 and will spend the next month participating in trainings and meetings that will fully prepare them for the year ahead.

The team is very excited to learn about the possibilities they will have this year to impact FFA members and the agriculture industry.

Gracie Murphy of Macomb, Illinois, is the National FFA eastern region vice president. She is a freshman in agricultural systems and education at Southern Illinois University.