The state officers are so excited to introduce to you all our Alaska FFA newsletter: The AK FFA Frontier! Starting now, we will be publishing a monthly newsletter. Each newsletter will include four different sections each written by a state officer and occasionally including some special features. With Event Updates, we tie all loose ends and give the background information and updates for all our fun activities and association events. Future Features provides the need-to-know with for upcoming events in FFA, community, and local agriculture. Here to give ease to the transition into the school year and information on how to take advantage of FFA opportunities is Helpful Tips. Finally, Reflections on the Journey provides some insight into the journey of state office! We’re so excited for you all to get started and dive into reading the FFA frontier!
Melina: Event Updates
Since the 2024-2025 state officers were elected in April, we’ve attended several agricultural outings and trainings. In May, we started our officer training with Basecamp, where the team got the chance to get to know each other on a deeper level, laid out team expectations, and set our goals for the year. It was a fantastic weekend that made our team feel much closer as we learned more about ourselves and our teammates.
At the end of May, we attended Nenana Ag Day, where we met vendors and watched members present their Farm Design Projects made for the Nenana-Totchaket project. Officers and members who attended were able to take a tour of Coffey’s Farm, where they taught us about their watering systems, equipment, and the ins and outs of farming in Alaska.
In June, our team made our way to Palmer for Checkpoint #1, where we further developed our teamwork and learned how to build and present workshops we will give in the coming months. Since then, we have been fine-tuning, memorizing, and preparing to deliver these workshops for the first time. While we worked on these workshops for at least 18 hours, we also spent a reasonable amount of time goofing around and creating memories. Our facilitator has now made it a requirement that before we walk into a new session, the team must decide on some dance or trend to remake. We have many videos of the team and our uncoordinated dancing.
The state officers jumped feet first into July, kicking it off with spending a week at Idaho’s FFA camp, SOLR. The camp was an excellent way to connect further with other states and discover new techniques to take back to Alaska! Following that, we spent half a week exploring agriculture in Idaho. It has been very eye-opening to compare Alaskan and Idahoan agriculture. We certainly have much more appreciation for all that Alaska agriculture has overcome.
Directly after Idaho, we made our way to Baltimore, where we spent several hours exploring and learning how to navigate public transport in a big city. We then headed to D.C., where the State Officer Summit is held. We spent the week touring monuments, museums, and Arlington Cemetery. We attended several sessions and trainings throughout the week and made countless friends from other states. We also met with our legislators to discuss some upcoming agriculture-related issues.
FFA had the honor of helping with the fair this year. Throughout the first weekend of the fair, FFA members were able to attend some workshops, participate in speaking events, and participate in two newly introduced CDEs: Livestock Judging and Food Science. It was such a fun time organizing the events, meeting with members, and representing FFA.
Emily: Future Features
Welcome to our monthly features on upcoming events for the Alaska FFA Association! Each month, we’ll provide you with the latest updates on exciting happenings within the Alaska agriculture and natural resources community and significant local events across all areas of our beautiful state. Whether you're a dedicated FFA member, an enthusiastic supporter, or simply someone who enjoys engaging in community activities, our blog will be a resource for staying informed and connected.
The FFA District Leadership Conferences are events where members participate in leadership-oriented workshops and meet new members from their area. Find your FFA District below:
Interior - September 20-21
Southcentral - September 24-25
Kenai Peninsula- To be announced!
Do you ever want to expand your knowledge in aquaculture? This September, at the Seagriculture USA 2024 conference, discover the current situation as well as the future of seaweed, offering unparalleled networking opportunities and expert insights along the value chain of the seaweed sector. Details below:
Seagriculture Conference
September 11 - September 12, 2024
Ketchikan, Alaska
Another event to highlight:
2024 Harvest Moon Local Food Festival 11 am - 6 pm, Saturday, September 21
Soldotna Creek Park
Learn more at - https://www.kenailocalfood.org/harvest-moon-local-food-festival
Inga: Reflections on the Journey
Ahh summer…sunshine, gardening, book time, and friends and family! There are so many things that make summer special; things that make me long for it every year. When I feel the grind of schoolwork wearing down on me and the dullness of winter dampen my spirits, summer daydreams are what get me through. The days of free time and infinite sun.
Every summer I’ve ever had has been different in some way. It holds true that there are always adventures and quality time with my favorite people, yet, regardless of how the previous summer went, I find myself wanting more every May. I say that in order to enjoy the best of summer I must plan it into my schedule. As I plan my summer I tell myself I need more traveling, more projects, more bucket list items. Eventually what is supposed to be the most spontaneous season of the year is a to-do list with an impending deadline.
This May was like all the others for me, I made my list, said yes to commitments, and drew project plans. Needless to say, juggling all of these obligations turns me from summer mode to auto-pilot survival—the very thing I want to escape from during the summer. In an attempt to capture the things that inspire summer, I am chained to inescapable duties and constant schedule conflicts.
Last week I asked if any of these plans of mine were what made up my favorite parts of summer. Sitting back, I realized that summer to me was never the job, the pre-school year goals, or even the destination. What has consistently made summer summer to me were small moments. Moments like long walks with my sister, nostalgic movie marathons, and shenanigans with friends. Stuff that is free and yet more meaningful than the activities crowding my schedule.
I know as well as anyone how hard it is to resist blocking out all your time in pursuit of goals, how necessary it feels to define summer with trips and cute photo shoots. We don’t miss the bustle of summer in the winter; we miss the sunny days, lazy afternoons, and casual conversations. It is now time to enter the school year. I request that you spend some time thinking about what summer meant to you: the highs, the lows, the freedom, and the exploration. As things pick up and the expectations of the school year fall down on us, hold on to those summer memories.
Levi: Helpful Tips
Setting clear and specific goals is crucial for maximizing your experience in FFA. Break down larger goals into manageable tasks and use the SMART criteria—Specific, Measurable, Association, Relevant, and Time-bound—to ensure your goals are effective. Writing down your goals and keeping them visible increases commitment and accountability. Regularly review your progress, be flexible with adjustments, and seek feedback from advisors and mentors to refine your strategies. This approach will help you stay focused and motivated throughout your FFA journey.
Engaging in various activities and exploring different aspects of FFA early on can significantly enhance your experience. Get involved in competitions like Career Development Events (CDEs) and Leadership Development Events (LDEs), which challenge you to apply your skills and knowledge while providing recognition and awards. Attend conferences and workshops, such as the National FFA Convention, to expand your network and enhance your skills. Additionally, taking on leadership roles helps develop essential skills and makes your FFA experience more fulfilling.
Building strong relationships and utilizing available resources are also key to maximizing your FFA experience. Connect with peers, advisors, and industry professionals to open doors for future opportunities. Engage in community service projects to give back and make a positive impact while building character. Pursue Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs) for hands-on learning tailored to your interests and career goals. Documenting your achievements and maintaining regular communication with your advisor ensures you stay informed and receive valuable guidance. By actively participating and making the most of these opportunities, you can set yourself up for future success in FFA and beyond.
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