My Journey to Finding Elegance In Agriculture

Although, I did not grow up in the agricultural industry. I had no concept of what this industry could offer me until last year, during my sophomore year of high school. This industry has helped me find myself, my people, my passion, and my future. 

2024 Florida FFA State Finalist Proficiency Application: Agriculture Communications

 In middle school, I began by competing in a Leadership Development Event for FFA called Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Which has now led me to compete at Florida FFA State Conventions and attend National FFA Conventions. As a freshman with limited FFA experience, I had the opportunity to be an FFA Student Advisor and show swine for the first time. Then I began trying out several different FFA competitions. That year, my Conduct of Chapter team advanced to states, and I had the opportunity to attend my first FFA convention! Seeing the sea of blue jackets, as well as the district and state officers, degrees, contests, and opportunities, broadened my perspective significantly. I had no clue FFA could be so deep.  

Going into sophomore year, after seeing everything at the convention I decided I wanted to get more involved in the agricultural industry through FFA. I've created several social media platforms for my FFA Chapter and our livestock. Considering everyone in our generation can communicate over their phones, I took this opportunity to advocate for agriculture. I can inform people about the industry they rely heavily on but are unaware of.  Just by creating these platforms, I met many people and introduced agriculture to all generations through events in our community that my chapter hosted. By making such an impression, some of my chapter officers and I were interviewed on Live Television with Charlie Belcher to share our experiences! I was also accepted to Brand Represent Wandering Maverick Boutique, a business that shares the importance of agriculture on social media. With all my advocacy, I received an FFA State Finalist Proficiency in Agriculture Communications and submitted an Agricultural Education application. 

Last year, I started my experience in the beef industry by showing a steer at the Pasco County Fair, which I will continue to do this year. I will also be a beef breeding exhibitor at county and state level for my chapter. Now in my junior year, I look back on my first year and realize how much I've grown. I've been an officer for four years, currently holding the Vice President position. Being an officer, I have given many ideas and events to our chapter that benefit our community through agriculture.  I have now created my own brand on a TikTok, Instagram and Facebook platform called, Elegant in Agriculture, to connect with young women in agriculture while advocating for the importance on the industry. I post opportunities, experiences, statistics, informational facts, and education materials to educate viewers on my pages. I can check my viewer interaction through the platforms insights page to help me narrow down what things I can improve for better interaction. In the near future, I'm striving to develop local affordable apparel focused on advocating for agriculture, and the women in this industry.   

This year, I have many goals to further my advocacy including Agriculture Mechanics and Communications competitions and proficiencies, FFA Speaking Contests, Florida FFA State Degree, Sub-District Chair, FFA Sweetheart, and showing beef at county and state fair level. By achieving these goals, I will be able to speak for this industry through a position towards different audiences. As I have time to decide what career path is for me, I know my experiences in FFA have influenced me to stay involved and fight for the industry that feeds us even after I graduate. From my Ag Communcations SAE, I have experience to follow in a career of Public Relations, Marketing or Social Media Management. My biggest dream would be to further my advocacy for this industry by pursuing a career in Agriculture Law at the University of Florida, through their agricultural and IFAS program. I will always continue to share an industry that anyone can stand up for, no matter the background. This industry has a place for everyone.