October 2-6, 2017 | This past week, the New York State Officers hit the road to tour agriculture programs and FFA chapters across the state. Members showed off their skills in Barnyard Olympics, and their chapter pride while giving tours of their agriculture classrooms, greenhouses, and gardens. State Officers facilitated workshops during several chapter visits, where students learned how to risk boldly, live the legacy and follow their path. Each workshop consisted of various games and activities that were used to help students grow as leaders, break out of their comfort zones, and become aware of opportunities in the FFA. The five day tour started with the farthest west FFA chapter in the state, Clymer FFA, and ended in the east, with the John Bowne FFA chapter in New York City.
The State Officers took the opportunity to tour Wards Natural Sciences and Wegmans, both supporters of the FFA, and were able to learn a little bit more about their companies. NY FFA is successful because of the support we receive from companies such as these and we want to continue to find ways that we can continue to work with each other. The State Officers also had the opportunity to visit the location of the 2018 State Convention, which will be held at the Blue Cross Arena, Radisson Hotel and the Convention Center in Rochester, NY!
Members and State Officers alike, look forward to State Officer tour because of all the opportunities that it offers. Paige Thorne from the Carthage FFA chapter looks forward to State Officer tour because,” I get to meet new people and see the State Officer Team all at once.” Traveling over 1,500 miles and meeting nearly 1,000 members always makes this experience great, expressed Megan Lamb, State Vice President! The diversity of the agriculture industry in New York is reflected in the diversity of each of the chapters we visited, Megan continued. The State Officer team would like to thank everyone for being such great hosts and we look forward to seeing you all at future events.
Respectfully Submitted by, Kimberly Doyle, NY FFA
State Reporter, 2017-2018