Unplug

“Alright, okay. I’ve got this, right? Right. Geez, it’s loud in here. I wish I could just… oh yeah! I have my headphones in my bag. Good deal. Alright… and there we go! Now we’re up and running, a little AC/DC to kick things off. Let’s do this!”

The above dialogue is an accurate representation of me, my sophomore year of high school in study hall. Like most study halls, as many students as possible are shoved into a library and are expected to study with their closest friends mere inches away. Let’s be real here, we’re doing more messing around than we are working. Well, everyone except me, especially during one of high schools busy weeks. Determined to get things crossed off my list, it was not uncommon for me to plug into my favorite bands and drown out the background noise. This is a little trick I would carry with me to college.

I am a type “A” person. If there is a plan, I stick to the plan. Freshmen year of college did not go according to plan.

I came to college very close to a few specific people. After close to two weeks of classes, my world as I knew it came tumbling down. With one of those specific people, I had a major falling out. To the point where I was uncomfortable and anxious seeing them in public.

Original Plan: Go to college, join three picked out clubs, spend quality time with specific people, explore campus.

“Plan“ after two weeks: Hide in my room in an empty house…

“I’m nowhere near home. I have hardly any friends up here. I have all of this homework to do that I know I am no good at. If I ask for help, I’m a failure. I can’t go to campus unless it’s for class. What if I stray off my path and see “them”?! That’s going to put me in an awful mood, I might freak out. AND WHY IS IT SO LOUD IN HERE?! I need something to quick… I… my headphones. I have my headphones…finally! Relief.”

If I could get plugged into my headphones, then all of the bad stuff went away. I could work in peace, distracted from the world around me. Nothing would bother me until I unplugged again.

Eight months, two pairs of headphones, and countless hours of music played later, I reached my wit's end. Every time I started to get panicky or stressed, I would plug in. And every time I did that, I needed to find a new song or a new sound to district my racing thoughts. Soon I ran out of genres that would work, so I turned to volume.

Cut to me wearing a pair of headphones fraying at the seams, volume at one hundred percent, blaring a song talking about the end of the world. All because I had a “rough day”, consisting of me running into a specific person I hadn’t seen in a while.

Something had to give. I was losing friends and my family began to worry. I was finally honest with myself. I wasn’t solving any problems plugging into music, I was running from them. Instead of standing up and addressing my situation, I cowered away. Through Faith, I decided to face my fears.

What are you running from? What lies are you telling yourself to make it through your current situation? Are you like me, using something to distract you from all of the bad stuff?

Iowa FFA, stop running. Unplug your self created distraction. Turn around and take on your issue. The more you avoid it, the worse it gets. You are strong enough to get through it. You are! Face the music of your reality.

Go Get Em,

Chandler Jahner

2018-2019 South Central 

State Vice-President

Canvases

As the warmer weather is starting to arrive, it makes me anxious to go outside with my paints, brushes, and canvases. Now I might not be as good of an artist as my Grandma or my best friends, but nothing beats the sun beating down on you and your freshly painted canvas. When I paint, I like to use acrylics because it seems to go across the canvas well and is able to be used for tiny details. Every time you mix paint to make the perfect color, you have to be somewhat precise so that way you get close to the same color as before. When I paint, I feel as if I am able to create anything. Every brush stroke means you are closer to the final product. If you think that you put the wrong color in the wrong spot, you didn’t. That is just another reason that makes your painting unique.

Just like in all aspects of life, we are all unique in our very own way. We all have things we enjoy just like picking out the paints we want to put on our canvas. Like the brushes, we all have different goals and aspirations. Just like every brush is different, every goal or life aspiration is different. Like the canvas, we all have a finished product that has yet to be created. With every brush stroke, just like big life moments, we are closer to creating our finished canvas. What do you want your finished canvas to look like? We are all unique in our own way, so I encourage you to paint your canvas with your goals and aspirations, and with life’s greatest moments. You are as unique as your canvas.

Smile for the camera,

Jodie Mausser

Iowa FFA State Reporter

Make the Most!

Five months ago, I was sitting in a hotel ballroom as Mr. E.L. Caraway shared this advice. A seemingly simple slogan, putting these words into action have the ability to transform any situation.

When Mr. Caraway initially spoke these words, I was preparing to compete at the National FFA Public Speaking LDE. Sitting in that room was a reminder I only had a handful of times left to wear the blue jacket. Memories of ag class, participating in my first CDE and traveling to Washington D.C. with members from across the nation flooded my brain. “Making the most” had meant seizing these opportunities. Doing so allowed me to discover my interest in agriculture, overcome my fear of public speaking and make lasting friendships. While these big moments were important, I believe Mr. Caraway wanted us to understand making the most of the little moments as well.

I began to wonder… how would I carry on this mindset when I took off the blue jacket?

I am now halfway through my second semester of college. This means midterms. An econ exam, an animal science practical, and a variety of other deadlines are looming over my head. Between studying, club meetings and working, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. It can be even easier to forget about making the most. However, these seemingly mundane moments are when I find it even more important.

Making the most means truly being engaged in class. It’s so easy to pull out your phone or work on another assignment. By making the most of your learning, you’ll understand the content better and perhaps dread going to class less.

It means actively listening during a conversation. Whether it’s with your best friend or a new acquaintance, the people around us have unique insight. Hearing their perspective might cause you to look at the world through a different lens.

It means following your passion. It is so easy to say yes to everything. This can leave us drained and irritable. When we understand the value of our time and make decisions with our heart, our schedules will fill us up instead of breaking us down. Choose to try a new club (or don’t) and make time for your hobbies.

There are many ways to make the most. If I hadn’t gotten involved in FFA, I would not be the person I am today. From helping me find confidence in my speaking ability to meeting my college roommate, this organization has had a lasting impact. If I wasn’t striving to implement a make the most mindset into my everyday life, I would be less grateful for all that’s right in front of me. I encourage you to make the most of every moment — in and out of the blue jacket.

Go Make the Most of It,

Emily Saeugling

Let Your Garden Grow!

This week is finally looking as if the snow will melt, and spring will come. That means soon I’ll be able to participate in one of my favorite past times, gardening. I love to garden! I take so much satisfaction in watching my plants grow and produce fruit. Just as I take pride in watching FFA members grow. There is a little something we can all take from the changing of the seasons and that is growth.

As soon as late April arrives and the snow is gone, the sun shines warm, and the ground is cool, you can find me in my garden. The first thing to do when entering the garden, hoe the weeds. You have to get the weeds out of the way before you can start anywhere. Just like ingrown members, you have to get rid of your own weeds. When wanting to grow as a person you have to get rid of your own weeds. You have to let go of the thoughts in your mind that are preventing you from growing. The thoughts of “I can’t do this” “I can’t possibly get any better”. Once you get rid of the weeds, you can start on your path to growth. The next thing I do in the garden is hoe a row deep and straight. Same comes when growing ourselves. The path to growth is a straight line. We must follow our path forward to better things that lie ahead. The next step in my garden, planting the seed. Each seed has to be carefully placed in the ground and covered with care. With growth in ourselves, we too must plant the seed. We need to take the advice from others and care for it. Let it grow inside each of us. The final step in caring for my garden is just that, care. To give it time, and tenderness. To go back every day and continue to pull the weeds, to continue to care for the seeds. Our personal growth is just the same. We have to continue to care for our personal growth. Continue to pull our own weeds. Continue to care for our seeds. We have to continue to let our garden grow!

Take the Time,

Gwen Black

2018-2019

SW State Vice-President 

What was Your Favorite Part of FFA Week?

CD Brinegar - 

FFA week is like the 4th of July for rodeo people, there are more events than you can make it to in a week but there are some amazing things that FFA members, chapters and local schools are doing. This week I went to Sub-Districts in the Southeast District on Monday, I got to travel with Ridge Hughbanks to Starmont, and traveled south to West Marshall and after a snowstorm, I made it to Cardinal. Over those one thousand miles that I traveled my favorite part has to be hands down the people in the small towns that I met at gas stations, restaurants or other places. Anytime that I walk into a Casey’s or a Kwik Star in the jacket it always starts a conversation, about FFA when the old timer was in high school, or about farming over the years. The conversations usually are short but FFA Week led to a few of these conversations that made me grateful for the opportunity to travel and see the state.

Chandler Jahner - 

FFA Week was honestly everything I love about state office rolled into one week. Whether it was the travel, the interaction with members, the stories told or the speeches gave, it was awesome! Every single chapter visit I went on rocketed into my top ten list. 

I will say, Monday was incredible for me as I spent the day in Leon with the Central Trail chapter. What made that special was I had the chance to present to their entire school and meet the gentleman who had taught at the school from 1963-1990. It was incredible to see how far we as an organization have come and the lives we have impacted. Wrapping up the day I had the chance to be present when the Bondurant-Farrar chapter signed their National charter. Which showed a brief glimpse of what’s to come for our organization. A true full circle day!
You all never ceased to amaze me with your love and care for this organization. It makes me strive to be a better member myself! Thank you for a wonderful National FFA Week!

Gwen Black - 

What an awesome and eye-opening adventure FFA week has been! This past week I have been able to see some stellar, members, advisors, and chapters all across the Southwest District. Starting my week off about as Southwest as you can be in Iowa, to ending it with Goat Yoga, I witnessed some amazing growth. I believe I gained more from the students across the district than they did from me. Everyone had so much pride in their home, communities, and FFA chapters, and all were eager to become even better. I thank you all for that! I also want to say thank you to my District Officers that got to experience the fun-filled miles with me! I am truly blessed with the Southwest!

Cole Reiman - 

FFA week has truly opened my eyes into the lives of the FFA members across this state. Getting to see the passion and drive of you all have been remarkable. Every day a new adventure with a new chapter, no, a new family. From the “FFA Degree Tree” at East Sac on Monday to the class goats in GTRA on Friday, each day had a chapter that was unique in its own ways and I couldn’t express how thankful I am to have gotten the chance to share this last week with the FFA members that make this year so fulfilling for me. Thank you for everything you do Iowa FFA. Never stop being unique!

Jodie Mausser - 

FFA week is for sure my favorite week out of the year. It is a week where FFA members can all come together and advocate for what they love and represent the blue jacket. From chapter visits to visiting with members, and even talking about dairy cows, this past week was one for the books. The photo challenge was for sure one of my favorite parts! Seeing all of the cool pictures and what chapters were doing throughout their schools was so neat to see! Iowa FFA thank you for an extraordinary week.

Jake Hlas - 

If I had to describe the 2019 National FFA Week in the fewest words possible it would go something like this, miles, members, contests, and cancellations. Miles. As a team, we made it a point to reach every corner of the state during the week, and even one quick trip into Wisconsin. As a team, we put on just over 10,000 miles! FFA Members. Wowzers, personally I feel as though we may have seen almost every single one of you last week and the best part of it all was the passion I saw each day. Y’all were having a great time and because of that, it made our week a bunch of fun! Contests. I made my way to three sub-district competitions in the Northeast district and can honestly say those nights may have been some of my favorite ones of the year up to this point. Now even with all of the nerves, we kept the room light and always had a good time. Cancellations. Well, mother nature did not want to cooperate last week or for the whole month of February and practically any plans we had for Wednesday went out the door. Road conditions were less than preferable for much of the week and it made travel slow. With all of this being said it was still an amazing week and every detail of it made me extremely proud of this state and the FFA members that call it home!

Lexi Berte - 

National FFA Week was definitely one to remember. After having North Central District Officer Interviews rescheduled four different times, we finally got to kick off the week with them! This was a great way to kick off the week! Now, even those interviews weren’t canceled, we did manage to sneak in more snow and more cancellations during the week. I spent the rest of my week going on chapter visits to Nashua Plainfield, Belmond, and Boone. I even got the opportunity to visit Clear Lake where they will be starting a new agriculture education program. Overall, I can definitely say my favorite part of the week was catching up with those who I had met before and making new connections. Thank you Iowa FFA for an unforgettable National FFA Week!

Lane Morrison - 

This week has been one of the best weeks I have had this year. Traveling around southeast Iowa has shown me how incredible FFA members are and how bright their futures will be. I had the pleasure of attending Fairfield high school and North Mahaska for chapter visits and other activities. The day at Fairfield went great because the students were very engaging and had a lot of fun. The day at North Mahaska was filled with fun activities and ended with their annual Ag Olympics in the gym with the whole school. Having these opportunities will be something I will never forget.

Leaky Mailbox - 

FFA week was one of the busiest, snowiest, fun-filled weeks of the year. I had the awesome opportunity to visit schools in Northwest Iowa and see the different projects that FFA Chapters were working on. West Lyon was building chicken coops for people in their community, Central Lyon builds mini houses, and Rock Valley has their very own Rocket Manufacturing business. All three programs showed projects that were great for career-based learning, and it was amazing to see young students putting so much time and effort into these projects! There is so much value in hands-on learning and I was lucky to experience it with these awesome chapters!

In Blue and Gold,

2018-2019

Iowa FFA 

State Officer Team

Winter Weather

To say that this year’s winter weather has been rough on our everyday lives is an understatement. Schools have canceled, work has been canceled, well to be honest just about every event that has been scheduled in the last three weeks has had to be postponed or canceled. The weather has been tough on our livestock. Any livestock producer in the Midwest can agree that it hasn’t been prime conditions. When the waterers freeze up in no more than 20 minutes, or when the tractors are gelling up, it isn’t easy going.

In high school, I always loved snow days. It gave us a chance to forget about school for a day or in the scenario of this year, a whole week. One would be pressed in trying to find some good in the last few weeks of weather, but it has allowed me to notice something that I had not realized in my rich history of snow days. This realization came last week while traveling for an FFA event.

The day started like any other. Chandler, CD, and I gathered in Ames and left en route to Edgewood- Colesburg. The drive there was uneventful. With a quick stop at Kwik Star to fill the truck and our stomachs up, we made good time. As we arrived at the school, the day went as planned, except for one minor detail. Now in Iowa we see a lot of snow, rain, wind, humidity, and just about every weather condition you can think of, and the craziest thing is that in one day we can see all of these combined. Now there is one condition that I have left out and it turns out to be the one that even the best Midwest drivers refuse to drive in. I will give you a hint, it rhymes rice. ICE. Now as the day progressed we heard a few reports of this three- letter word, but had work to get done, so we kind of brushed it off. A few of the advisors had told us that we probably should get going, so we did. As the three of us walk outside we almost all fall as there is a thick sheet of ice on the sidewalks. This continues as we make our way to the vehicle. As we let the ice melt off the windshield, we devise a plan to make it home safely. Slow and steady wins the race, so we take off. The first 50 miles or so were normal driving conditions, but as we pass Waterloo on Highway 20, the conditions change. A semi hauling hogs pass us at a good clip, but quickly slows down. I make the decision to fall in behind him and slow down the pace. Not too long after that we came upon flashing lights and slowed to a creep. In a two-mile stretch, there were 7 cars in the ditch including one semi. After seeing this, we made an executive decision to stop at another Kwik Star to wait it out. The next part of this journey made me realize something.

After our hour-long stop, we decided to keep moving, but this time on the back roads and at a 20 mile per hour pace. To not bore you with any more details we made it back to Ames just before 2 am. A 2 ½ hour drive had turned into a 5 ½ hour journey, but in the last 3 hours, the time seemed to fly by. By going slow, we were able to have a great conversation about varying topics, the present, and life, something I realized I take for granted. All too often we go 100 mph to get through our daily lives. Sports, work, school, and the various activities we partake in making our lives move fast. It’s crazy that such an awful icy situation could make me open my eyes to slow down and smell the roses. An old cowboy artist by the name of Chris Ledoux sings a song called, “It Ain’t the Years, it’s the Miles.” We put on a lot of miles in our daily lives, maybe not in distance, but in what we do with our days. Slow down and enjoy those miles, because we never know when those miles might run out.

I don’t mean to get somber in the ending of this, but it is definitely something to think about. Our teachers, coaches, parents, and family always tell us that time flies, so don’t blink, because you might just miss a few years of your life. I will end with a challenge for y’all. Live in the moment, take in your surroundings, and most of all make your time count by being intentional.

God Bless,

Jake Hlas

2018-2019

NE State Vice-President

5 Unique Ways to Fundraise in Your FFA Chapter.

After talking to FFA chapters around the state, I found out that there are so many different ways they fundraise for their chapters and community service projects. Now wouldn’t it be helpful to share those ideas, so that chapters all over can fundraise in their own communities? Here are five ideas that I found were unique in their own ways.

1- Pancake Feed/Labor Auction: Each year, the Algona FFA Chapter holds a pancake feed and labor auction. FFA members, people in the community, and families gather together for supper before the labor auction starts. Members of the Algona FFA chapter pair up and sell 4 hours of their labor. All of the money raised from the free will donation pancake feed and the labor auction go towards community service projects that the chapter does.

2- Hanging Planters: The Gilbert FFA chapter has a greenhouse where they plant numerous flowers and plants. Students who take care of the greenhouse sell planters. When Mother’s Day comes around, they sell the hanging flower planters to help support their chapter.

3- Pig Show: The Agri Power and Oskaloosa FFA chapters team up to host an open hog show each year. At this event, the students put up the gates, run concessions, and develop a list of sponsors to help out. Profits are made off of the entry fees. All of the profits are split between the two chapters.

4- Porktober Meal: During October which is pork month, the Aplington Parkersburg FFA Chapter hosts a Porktober Meal. In their community, the pork producers are very involved. They donate the pork burgers to the chapter. They sell meals which include pork burgers, potato salad, cookies, and water for $7 each. Members of the chapter deliver them to local businesses. Community members come into the agriculture education room and also learn more about the swine industry as a whole.

5- Petting Zoo: The Greene County FFA Chapter sets up a petting zoo at the Deal’s Orchard Fall Festival. A local farmer brings his animals. Some of the animals include pot belly pigs, goats, donkeys, and llamas. Children at the festival pay $1 to walk through the petting zoo. FFA members watch over the animals and explain to those walking through how to care for them. The profits go towards supporting their chapter activities.

After hearing all of these great ideas, I encourage you all to go make a difference in your communities and fundraise for your chapter or a cause near and dear to your heart.

Keep It Real,

Alexis Berte

North Central State Vice - President