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Secretary Perdue discusses the importance of communication during the National FFA Convention

Secretary Perdue discusses the importance of communication during the National FFA Convention

He also encouraged future farmers to be active in agricultural policy development

By Diego Flammini
News Reporter
Farms.com

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue challenged attendees of the 90th National FFA (Future Farmers of America) Convention in Indianapolis, IN to communicate their ag pride.

And, with the world at their fingertips, that means communication can take on a number of meanings.

“We’re in the 21st century and (we have) different communication techniques, methodologies and protocols,” he said Wednesday, according to the Indianapolis Star. “We’ve got to be more aggressive advocates.”

If there used to be a time when farmers kept to themselves and focused solely on their farms, that time is over, Perdue said.

“No longer can we sit behind our farms and fences and farm gates and think that everything is going to be okay because we’re just good guys and we just grow good, healthy food,” he said. “We’ve got to be able to persuade and I think these young people will be great advocates for consumerism.”

And six specific FFA members are tasked with representing tomorrow’s farmers and telling their stories.

FFA delegates elected the new National FFA Officer Team for 2017-2018 at the Convention.

Breanna Holbert, an agricultural education major at California State University of Chico, was elected national president. She’s also the first African American woman to hold that position.

Erica Baier, an ag education major at Iowa State University, will hold the position of national secretary.

Piper Merritt, an ag economics major at Oklahoma State University, steps into the role of central region vice-president.

Bryce Cluff, an ag technology and management: education major at the University of Arizona, will be the western region vice-president.

Ian Bennett, an agriscience and environmental systems major at the University of Georgia, will serve as the southern region vice-president.

Gracie Furnish, a career and technical education major at the University of Kentucky, takes on the role of the eastern region vice-president.


Trending Video

Women in Ag. The Promotion of Female Farmers through Social Media | Madalyn Thayer | TEDxBGSU

Video: Women in Ag. The Promotion of Female Farmers through Social Media | Madalyn Thayer | TEDxBGSU

Less than 1% of Americans are farmers. The majority of those farmers are men. Many people have minimal experience with farms and agriculture. High schools are getting rid of their FFA programs and many colleges, including BGSU, do not have agricultural programs or classes. There is a new social media phenomenon where women are making content based on their farming endeavors and gaining lots of traction. Education is the one of the most important parts of agriculture, because the more people know the more they will emphasize with farmers and create policy that benefits everybody. Female farmers have taken to social media sharing their experience in the agricultural world. These women are breaking stereotypes and educating everyday citizens about farming which is extremely important for the future of agriculture. Madalyn is 19 years old and will be gradated with her bachelors degree in communication on December 2024. She lives on a farm and have spent lots of time working in agriculture. She has her own farmers market and love learning about all subjects, especially agriculture. She was on the BGSU Firelands Student government from 2021-2023 as a CCP Ambassador and was awarded the 3&1 communication excellency award in April of 2024. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.