Blue, Gold and Corduroy: Lessons from FFA

The lessons of perseverance, hard work, repetition and team-focused collaboration all started and have since been honed into a sharpened point, in part, thanks to my time in FFA.

FFA Jackets
FFA Jackets
(Farm Journal)

I’ve learned many lessons through some two decades of professional work. Nuggets such as:

  • Be your own advocate.
  • Your best is the best you can do.
  • It never hurts to ask but it might if you don’t.
  • People are people regardless of station or status.

Many of these concepts were incubating long before my first job. They surfaced during my years as an FFA member. As a greenhand wearing my dad’s corduroy coat, I didn’t understand the life lessons sewn into the blue and gold threads. By my senior year, and with my own jacket in the closet, I was beginning to understand what it takes to succeed.

Perseverance and Collaboration

The lessons of perseverance, hard work, repetition and team-focused collaboration all started and have since been honed into a sharpened point, in part, thanks to my time in FFA. That’s why Farm Journal is partnering with the National FFA Foundation to present the second annual #FarmON Benefit Concert. A 2020 fan favorite, this year’s concert will feature Easton Corbin and other artists in a performance that will be broadcast online and on RFDTV on Sept. 20, benefiting the National FFA Foundation.

The concert, including some of country music’s biggest stars will help to raise money for FFA and its commitment to growing the next generation of farmers, ag industry leaders and maybe even a few editors.

Life has been a challenge over the past 1.5 years and our kids are right in the middle of it. Join us as we work to ensure their future remains as bright as the emblem on the back of that corduroy jacket.

Join the FFA Fun

The #FarmOn Benefit Concert will air Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. CST on RFD-TV. Your FFA member can even be part of the show. Just send in a picture of them in their blue jacket via text to 31313 with “FarmON” or post it on social media using the hashtag #FarmON.

Register for Farm Journal Field Days to watch the concert broadcast online or on RFD-TV.

AgWeb-Logo crop
Related Stories
With Midwest farmers reporting disease lesions on leaves in storm-hit cornfields, an Iowa State pathologist says the right management step hinges on correct identification.
Ken Ferrie leads the unsponsored, two-day event focused on crop fertility ROI, weed management and making the 4Rs pay in tight markets.
Industry executives say AI-driven design and field data are reshaping how new products are being researched and developed, and will ultimately shorten the time from initial concept to commercial launch.
Read Next
FMC’s new active ingredient targets broadleaf weeds with two modes of action – an industry first. But researchers say good stewardship of existing technologies remains critical.
Get News Daily
Get Market Alerts
Get News & Markets App