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The FFA experience is special for everyone.
Read what others have shared with us about their memories of FFA. And if you’d like to share your “True Blue” story, click here.
Some of my fondest memories from high school were the training events at Aurora, such as PEAK and COLT, as well as the State FFA Convention. I don't think I realized the impact it had until I went to college and knew a lot of the faces on campus because of the FFA network from high school.
-- Katie
#1 -- Winning the State FFA Debate contests. I always debated the "con" side of the issue.
#2 -- Attending the National FFA Convention in Kansas City.
-- Randall
I have so many great memories! I will always remember the excitement of hearing my name announced as the NC Region State Vice-President. It was an honor to serve and it really did impact my life and career.
Thanks to Rich, Donnie, Ed and team!
-- Tara
Is when we traveled to livestock shows across Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado, along with my State Star Farmer Award.
-- Leigh
I have a ton of them!!!!!
-- Kory
Hearing my name announced at State Convention as the next FFA Sweetheart. Learning that my brother had recieved his American Farmer Degree, my pledge daughter was named the first female National President and that two close friends went on to be National Officers.
-- Heidi
I have so many "True Blue" memories it is hard to narrow it down to just a few. The first was having to recite the FFA Creed in front of all of the chapter members' parents. The next big moment was going to state convention and hearing then President Lawrence Kuhlman run the convention. I then decided I wanted to to become a State Officer. I did accomplish that goal and became State President for 1966-67. I can never repay the organization enough for giving me that opportunity. Any success I might have accomplished over the last 40 years was because of the opportunity I had to wear the FFA Blue Jacket.
-- Jack
State Fair of Texas showing steers for eight years.
-- Randy
Being the FFA Advisor for both of my sons -- and seeing them get involved in FFA contests and events. Both earned the American FFA Degree.
-- Gene
In 1945, our entire chapter went to Kansas City, Missouri, to the National Convention, compliments of our local Ford dealer, who supplied the cars and drivers to take 40 of us young men. In 1949, I was honored to receive the American Farmer Degree. I went to Kansas City on the train. This was a highlight of my younger days -- I still have my FFA jacket!!! I was sorry to see vocational agriculture discontinued in our school, especially since my son was entering high school and excited about taking the course!
-- James
Serving as a Member of the Nominating Committee for selecting the National FFA Officers.
-- Harold
Elected Vice President of the State Association of FFA at the state convention in North Platte in 1947.
-- Clinton
Our FFA Advisor, when growing up, did not give us many programs and opportunities to do. Thank goodness this has changed for my children, who are really involved in FFA!
-- Sharon
State FFA Convention and all the blue jackets in Lincoln for a few days.
-- Nathan
Being a member of the National FFA Chorus and taking part in the national convention in Kansas City was very rewarding.
Also, in 1974 being selected as the first female state officer in Nebraska was very exciting and working with a great group of fellow state officers made it a once in a lifetime experience!
-- Kay
The National FFA Convention was always fun. All that FFA had to offer.
-- Brad
I was an advisor at Bartlett, now Wheeler Central, from 1957 to 1959. Then from the fall of 1959 to the end of the 1966 school year. I had the honor of having three State Star Farmers at Plainview: Wayne Rasmussen, David Volk and Bruce Hild. FFA develops great leadership qualities in young men, and now thankfully, in both men and women.
-- Leland
Attending leadership conferences at Aurora, Nebraska, as a local officer and later as a state officer.
-- Jim
Participating in contests, the FFA creed and demonstrations. State and national conventions were a real learning experience for a young high school student.
-- George
Earning and being recognized for the Southeast Area Star Agribusiness Degree. I look back with fondness and true appreciation for the entire FFA experience. What a valuable personal and professional development experience!
-- Darwin
Being a co-state FFA Officer with the first lady state officer--Kay Christensen!
-- Alan
I became interested in FFA in 1962 when I was a freshman in high school at Plainview, Nebraska. I had been in livestock since I was 10 years old. My FFA advisor when I was in school was Mr. Leland Foote, who by the way was a friend of Mr. Ted Ward. Mr. Ward taught at Verdigre at that time.
Mr. Foote told me about the different degrees I could earn: Farmhand, Chapter, State and American Farmer and suggested that all could be achieved with hard work and dedication. I was awarded all four. Not only that, but I earned Star Greenhand, Star Chapter Farmer and Star State Farmer, the latter in 1967.
Becoming Star State Farmer was the highlight of my life at the age of 19. It has continued to be my greatest achievement throughout the rest of my life.
I did not attend college because I chose instead to farm and raise livestock. This is still what I do at 60 years old—41 years after receiving the Star State Farmer award.
FFA was my life 45 years ago and I still follow it as well as I can. Whenever I can, I encourage young people to be active and explore all the opportunities it offers. I also enjoy visiting about and publicizing FFA whenever I have the chance. I simply still believe in the future of farming, the first sentence of the FFA Creed I learned back in the ‘60’s.
-- Bruce
When I was a freshman in high school (1989) my FFA advisor, Mr. Dave Nichols, signed me up to compete in Creed Speaking at district events. Our chapter hadn’t won a leadership event in years. We didn’t that day either. I was so nervous I skipped an entire paragraph. I got dead last – a red ribbon. Granted they said it was in no particular order, but I got the only red ribbon. I was a pretty smart kid in school but not applying myself. FFA taught me a vivid lesson that day: success takes preparation and determination. It’s a lesson I’ve never forgotten. I’m very thankful for the opportunity to measure myself against some of the most hardest-working, sincere, and thoughtful people I’ve ever met – Nebraska FFA members.
-- Seth
During my senior year, I volunteered to coach and practice with the 8th grade quiz bowl team. I spent a few early mornings each week for about a month or two asking questions and preparing those kids for their first FFA contest. They ended up WINNING the contest at State! It was such a meaningful experience to me because I helped make those students’ first experience and memory of FFA be a positive one.
-- Kyla
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