FFA State Officer Provides Advice to Students

One of the favorite parts of my job is interviewing young people who are involved in agriculture. Last week I caught up with Washington FFA State Secretary Mitch Jamison at one of the many ag events attended by the state’s FFA leaders. I asked him why he decided to run for a state officer position and he shared.
Jamison: “Sports were a big deal when I was in high school and I was involved in FFA but not as much as I am now. After my sports career was over in high school, I was really missing the aspect of being on a team. I wanted to be able to find an another organization bigger than myself that I could contribute to so I looked towards the FFA for that.”
When a FFA student is elected to a state office in Washington, they are required to take a year off from school. So his college plans have been delayed by a year, he said
Jamison: “I’m planning on going to the University of Idaho and major in agri-business and a minor in accounting. After that, I hope to come back to the farm and work with my family.”
Jamison shared sage advice that works both for students considering running for a state FFA office or just in general life as well.
Jamison: “Just be yourself. That is what I tell a lot of people. When you are elected by the members, they want you to be who you truly are. So don’t ever try to be fake or put on a front because it will show. Just be you and represent the organization as best you can.”