Why I Choose to Run as a State FFA Officer Candidate Again

Welcome back to my journey and Happy Independance Day!

This upcoming week I will proceed with online interviews for WI State FFA Office Candidate in Section 8. This will be my third year running as a candidate, as well as my last opportunity. No matter what comes out of this week, I have learned a plethora of skills throughout my journey as an FFA Officer Candidate.

In my first year as a candidate, June 2018, I had just graduated high school. While I tried my hardest to prepare for the process, I didn’t know what I was walking into. I had attended a State Officer Candidate Kick-Off (SOCK) Conference the year prior as well as my first year as a candidate. These conferences helped me understand the process; however, I personally didn’t do enough preparations for the interviews themselves.

During my second year as a candidate, June 2019, I prepared for months prior to the election process. This included hours of going through interview questions and studying FFA knowledge. I was honored to make it to the delegate round, or top two for Section 8. However, I didn’t put as much focus on writing delegate round speeches, because I wasn’t sure if I would make it that far. When I say enough focus I mean that I had an outline for over 20 different speeches, but I didn’t practice each speech previously. Unfortunately, I was not elected by the voting members in 2019. (See my “Being Second” post under “FFA” for more details.)

This year the process will be slightly modified, as approved by the 2019 - 2020 Wisconsin FFA Board of Directors. The selection process will consist of my resume and application being scored. Following this, I will participate in an online format of a personal interview, knowledge interview, discussion round, and extemporaneous speech.

Looking ahead, the newly elected officers will surely have a different upcoming year than those in the past. Events have been canceled, moved online, and rescheduled. While these changes can be disappointing for a candidate, this year will be an even greater year of growth for the newly elected officers.

So, why do I still choose to serve as a State FFA Officer Candidate?

Like many other officer candidates, I want to continue as a leader in the FFA Organization and give back what the organization has provided me for seven years.

However, one of my main goals as a state officer would be to increase the networking opportunties FFA members can participate in.

As an FFA member, I found the most value in being able to develop a network. Originally, my goal would have been completed through in-person gatherings during a “Journey with Jodie Roadtrip Around Section 8”; however, video and conference calls will be another available option.

Finally, one of my main reasons to choose to run as a State FFA Officer Candidate is to encourage and support members during their growth as future agriculturalists in our very fluid industry.

Young FFA members, such as 7th and 8th graders, look up to the FFA Officers as role models towards their future. I know this without a doubt because I was one of those members at one time. On top of this, I have spoken with young FFA members while volunteering at the FIRE (Foundations in Reaching Excellence) Conference at Fox Valley Techincal College in 2018 and 2019. As a State FFA Officer I would strive to provide younger FFA members excitement for their future FFA journey.

Older FFA members are looking towards their future, just as I was when I reached my Junior and Senior year of high school. They’re trying to find their passion for agriculture or another field of study. As a State FFA Officer, I would be able to provide a light on their post-secondary choices and field of study. Having graduated with degrees in business, agronomy and dairy herd management, I have some insight to provide FFA members as they take a step into their future.

The upcoming 2020 - 2021 Wisconsin FFA Officer team will have different challenges than usual, and their creativity and leadership skills will shine forth during their time of service. I’m honored to be a part of the election process for my final year, no matter the outcome.

Yours truly,

Jodie Weyland

Section 8 State FFA Officer Candidate

Please tune into the Wisconsin FFA Virtual FFA Convention on Friday, July 10th at 3:00PM CST for the announcement of the new FFA officer team!

This photo collage shows the newtorking opportunities that FFA has provided me. This includes attending State FFA Conventions, volunteering at FIRE Conferences at FVTC, as well as reuniting with FFA members I met through FFA honors band.