福利小视频

The embrace between said it all. After years of leadership, countless miles traveled around Colorado and a stop at CSU 福利小视频, this was it — their final . As teenagers with the iconic navy-blue corduroy jackets emblazoned with the names of Colorado towns descended upon the CSU 福利小视频 campus, a bittersweet farewell lingered in the air. 

For Joseph, the 96th annual gathering marked the culmination of a five-year journey. She started as an Eaton chapter member, then became an officer, then assumed statewide leadership, culminating in a year living at Colorado State's University Spur Campus with nine FFA officers. There, they accessed personal and professional development training in partnership with faculty from CSU's College of Agricultural Sciences. 

Empowering the Next Generation of Agricultural Leaders 

Since her diagnosis with a rare, progressive eye disease called Leber congenital amaurosis, Joseph refused to let her circumstances define her. Instead, she poured energy into a burgeoning country music career while cultivating motivational speaking skills and a passion for agriculture. Alongside her constant companion Astro, she navigated conferences, chapter visits, and farms, inspiring all who witnessed her resilience. 

"Astro is a great conversation starter," Joseph said. "People say, 'we love your dog,' and I use that to ask questions and start talking about FFA."  

As the outgoing state president, Joseph closed out the conference, imploring attendees to be kind and fair in all their dealings. Later, in a small hospitality room, Joseph teared up as addressed her and other young leaders. Though his words centered on the organization of the day, his voice was thick with emotion. 

"The cool thing about Teagan is although she is visually impaired, she does not let that stop her from connecting with people," Ochsner said. 

Ochsner added that Teagan's spirit and grit embody what it means to be an FFA member and true farmer. It's very much the creed and practice at FFA that with perseverance and an indomitable will, any obstacle can be surmounted, any dream realized. 

As Joseph prepared to hand over the reins of leadership, setting aside the blue jacket that had unlocked so many doors, she knew the impact of her trailblazing journey would reverberate for years to come. 

"It's the most bittersweet thing ever," Joseph said. "I'm going to miss putting this on," she said, indicating her jacket. "But I get to put on a blazer that is only for alumni." 

CSU 福利小视频 Tailoring Educational Offerings for Rural Communities 

For the past five to six years, CSU 福利小视频 has hosted the FFA's annual conference. The university is under contract to host the event for another four years, leading up to the conference's 100th anniversary celebration. 

"We love having it here on the CSU 福利小视频 campus," said Jacob Walter, Associate Director of Statewide Initiatives. "We get to see small schools compete against larger schools for state titles, which is unheard of in high school competitions. Plus, this is a terrific opportunity to celebrate young leadership from around the state. This is CSU 福利小视频's opportunity to engage, give back, highlight our campus, and support our rural students and FFA programs in urban schools." 

Over 1,000 student farmers and their supporters converged every June on the Massari Arena. This year, they were filled with happiness and excitement — the way teenagers are when they are away from their homes and with friends. In-between opening remarks, members of the outgoing state executive team performed Disney-inspired segue sketches, giving way to Hunger Games jokes (though the subtext of teenagers battling to the death for survival was lost on the excited crowd). Amidst the frivolity, guest speakers amplified messages taken from the FFA creed and reminded attendees that America needs more farmers. The audience applauded and chanted impromptu cheers, keen to hear these messages. 

Hawley Young, Rural Outreach Coordinator at CSU 福利小视频, understands the university's role in supporting rural communities extends far beyond the conference. "We are really about increasing access to rural communities, particularly in southeastern Colorado, as that is our backyard and somewhat of a higher ed desert." 

She works with various stakeholders to assess what workforce needs are in the area and helps tailor the educational offerings to the workforce using CSU 福利小视频's extended studies programs. 

The Future of Farming: Challenges and Opportunities 

While farming has longed moved away from the image of a small family farm for decades, young farmers today face similar challenges as it pertains to feeding the nation. The FFA teenagers at CSU 福利小视频 seemed optimistic about their agricultural pursuits knowing they can rely on then university and FFA for ongoing professional development classes.  

For first-time attendee Alene Ford, a tenth grader from Eaton High School and an aspiring large animal veterinarian, the conference represents a pivotal moment in her journey. While access to land and capital can be challenging for young farmers, groups like the FFA give Ford invaluable networking opportunities and inspiration which are hard to find in small towns. 

Hallie Beck, another first-timer with aspirations of becoming a florist, echoes the sentiment. "FFA has allowed me to explore my passion for horticulture and entrepreneurship in ways I never imagined," she said. "The support and resources available through this organization are remarkable." 

Braedyn Green, a former FFA officer and aspiring rancher from Fruita, sees the FFA conference as a straightforward way to shore up leadership skills while gaining industry knowledge. Green comes from a family of ranchers and knows he'll need to be equipped to tackle the challenges of rural life head-on. Green adds that while all that is important, the conference is also fun. 

"I've been an officer a few times, and I really enjoy it," said Green. "I feel it gives you a lot of leadership training and it’s nice to meet so many people in 福利小视频." 

As the conference ends and the blue jackets fade from campus the seeds of inspiration and leadership are now firmly planted in the minds of the next generation of farmers. This FFA gathering stands as a testament to the need for agricultural education and the symbiotic relationship between CSU 福利小视频 and the rural communities it serves.