How FFA Changed Us: Pork Industry Leaders Speak Up
Here’s a look at some familiar faces in the pork industry who credit FFA with helping them find their way into the pork industry and how it changed their lives.
Article By Jennifer Shike | Source
Agriculture is constantly evolving. That’s one of the ways FFA sets itself apart as an organization, says Courtney Knupp, vice president of international market development for the National Pork Board. FFA is always evolving, too. She credits FFA for exposing her to opportunities and careers in agriculture she never dreamed possible growing up on a farm in southeast Iowa.
“I remember when I told my dad that I wanted to take ag education in ninth grade. He was like, ‘Really? You want to do that?’ And I was like, ‘Don’t tell me not what not to do.’ That’s really why I went into FFA,” she laughs. “It was one of the best decisions of my life. I knew I didn’t want to drive a tractor, but I wanted to advocate for and create a strong industry for those that do at home.”
Courtney Knupp then and now.
Knupp loves the connectivity to the agriculture industry she now gets to work in every day.
“It allows me to share in the passion my family has had for generations but in a different way than being on the farm day to day,” she says. “I just feel really lucky to work in this career. Without FFA, I don’t think I would have gone in this direction at all.”
As a member of the Washington FFA chapter in Washington, Iowa, Knupp served as a regional FFA officer for two years. In addition to helping her find a career in agriculture, FFA taught her skills she leans on every day.
“FFA taught me structure and organization. I learned the basics of Robert’s Rules of Order and how to participate in a functioning committee, organization and board of directors. Those things really set you up for success,” she says. “The network I gained, both on a state and national level, was huge. It’s been those same people that I’ve orbited around since then. You don’t realize that at the time, but agriculture is a small, intimate industry. Those people that participated and were actively engaged in FFA, in my experience, have a high correlation of being very successful today.”
Here’s a look at some familiar faces in the pork industry who credit FFA with helping them find their way into the pork industry and how it changed their lives.
Aaron Lower, DVM, President and Partner in Carthage Veterinary Service, LTD.
Chapter: Eastland FFA Chapter, Ill.
Lower served as chapter president and was named the Star in Agribusiness for Illinois.
“FFA was full of ‘uncomfortable’ experiences for the first time in my life. Many of my CDE contests were to fill up a team in an area I was uncomfortable. My record books were in sales. While I was uncomfortable being a salesman, I learned how to approach sales and the value of commission. Leading peers as an officer can be uncomfortable. Through FFA, the ‘uncomfortable’ experiences developed into awesome opportunities in personal development, leadership and some pretty cool trips and awards. FFA taught me to embrace those experiences to stretch and grow personally and professionally throughout life.”
Ellen Knauth, Manager of Producer Services and Education for the Wendt Group and Co-Owner of Knauth Showpigs
Chapter: Mt. Pulaski FFA, Ill.
Knauth served as a section FFA president and was named the Section 14 Star Farmer.
“FFA taught me how to work with and communicate with people. During the year I served as section president, I was expected to work with my peers and ag teachers to plan and implement several events. Looking back on those experiences, those were some of the first times I had to coordinate events and people. Now, that is a huge part of my career and the role I play on our farm.”
Dustin Baker, Director, Education and Research at Commodity and Ingredient Hedging
Chapter: St. Louis FFA Chapter in St. Louis, Mich.
Baker served as chapter, regional and Michigan FFA State President.
“In addition to the leadership opportunities and lifelong friendships I made, probably the most valuable lesson I learned in FFA was to speak confidently in front of audiences. My junior high public speaking speech topic as a seventh grader was on forward contracting in the cattle industry. Today, I continue to speak to livestock producers around the country about risk management, and I would not have the confidence or ability to do so without the foundation built through FFA.”
Clay Zwilling, CEO of the National Swine Registry
Chapter: Sherrard FFA, Illinois
Zwilling served as the Illinois State FFA President.
“Through various FFA contests and activities, I learned that trying something new or being pushed outside your comfort zone ultimately helps you grow and become a better person. Moreover, it is not easy to find success – practice, dedication and discipline help yield results. Even if that means giving the FFA Creed over 1,000 times to your show animals, random objects or people who have no idea what you are talking about!”
Katlyn Cain, Project Manager at National Pork Board
Chapter: North Polk FFA Chapter, Iowa
Cain received her Iowa FFA Degree and was named the Second Overall Premier FFA Swine Exhibitor at the Iowa State Fair.
“There are so many lifelong lessons and friendships FFA gave me. However, with my unique situation of having to join a chapter outside of my immediate community, it pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me how to have the ability to make conversation and connections with people in new situations. The ability to network is critically important for growing your career in the agriculture industry. I’m extremely thankful FFA gave me that tool for the toolbox.”
Doug Albright, Swine Specialist at Hubbard Feeds Inc.
Chapter: Branch Area Career Center, Mich.
Albright served as chapter president and Michigan FFA State Reporter.
“FFA gave me so many life lessons, allowed me to funnel my passion for agriculture and [taught me] how to collaborate with people from coast to coast.”
Joel DeRouchey, Professor and State Extension Leader in Swine Nutrition at Kansas State University
Chapter: Chamberlain FFA, S.D.
DeRouchey served as chapter president, district officer and South Dakota State FFA Vice President.
“FFA taught me the value of what a high-functioning team can accomplish. Through experiences in my high school chapter and as a state FFA officer, we were able to accomplish numerous meaningful outcomes as a group that as individuals would not have been possible. Understanding this concept early in life has allowed me to have a more satisfying professional career.”
Caitlin Keck, Senior Director of Stakeholder Communications at National Pork Board
Chapter: Owatonna FFA, Minnesota
Keck served as the Minnesota FFA State Secretary.
“The most valuable lesson I learned from FFA was not only how to lead, but also how to work with a team. FFA provided so many excellent leadership opportunities. However, none of those leadership opportunities were performed solo. Serving on officer teams at the chapter, regional and state levels helped me develop teamwork skills beyond what most high school or college students experience.”
Blake Kennedy, Owner and Founder of Kennedy Ventures
Chapter: Tecumseh FFA, Okla.
Kennedy was named the 2019 National Star in Agribusiness.
“There is no other organization in the world that gives more opportunities to young people than the FFA. From showing livestock to public speaking and from livestock judging to competing in SAE/CDE events, the opportunities were endless. The banners, buckets and awards won in FFA will fade over the years, but the friendships and connections garnered by the FFA will last you a lifetime.”
Bryan Humphreys, CEO of the National Pork Producers Council
Chapter: Columbus Junction FFA, Iowa
Humphreys served as chapter president and served on the Southeast Iowa District FFA team for two years.
“While the lessons in parliamentary procedure and public speaking remain valuable tools, the most beneficial lesson I learned through FFA was the value of networking and building relationships. The relationships I built through FFA activities remain today and continually remind me that despite all the technological advancements, nothing can compete with a strong network of good people who hold the same values.”