1. Friendships

Some of my best friends have been a result of my time in the blue corduroy. Some came from within my chapter, others in my district, some from across the state, and others from the all over the country. One thing that bonds us together is the shared experience and values that we gained from the FFA.

2. Travel

From the nation's capital to farms across 3 different states, through FFA I traveled more than the average high school student. Our nation is quite diverse, but there are a lot of shared values that bind us together, as I met agriculturists from every area of the country I saw the profound impact that agriculture has on everyone, whether they realize it or not.

3. Professional skills

Whether it was competing in parliamentary procedures, writing a resume for officer applications, or reading about cost-benefit analysis for Farm Business Management, FFA taught me skills that I will use for the rest of my life.

4. Mentors

Ag advisors and CDE coaches are some of the greatest mentors you could ask for. They are always there to lend a helping hand, push you to do better, make sure you're doing okay, and convince you to try new things. They also happen to take great selfies, photo bomb everything, occasionally get lost on trips, and are generally good sports with all of our crazy antics.

5. Pranks

It might be the typical water balloons off of the dorm balcony at state, or sending your coach's suitcase unattended up an escalator in the airport while he's not paying attention, or maybe it's saran wrapping someone to a pole. All kinds of pranks get played by FFA members and it's typically all in good fun.

6. Classes that taught practical stuff

Welding, small gas engine repair, horticulture, landscape design, floriculture, animal science, and so on. Each of our ag classes taught us skills that could be immediately put into practice. We used the skills we learned to actually get stuff done and help those around us.

7. SAE animals

SAEs (Supervised Agricultural Experiences) were where we really got to put our new knowledge to the test. One of my SAEs was raising market hogs. The "joys and discomforts of agricultural life" were very real as challenges ranged from mysterious diseases to the pigs escaping the fence and going on their own adventures. Some of my fondest memories are with the pigs that somehow managed to be both pets and livestock at the same time.

8. In-depth knowledge of fast food

By the end of your first year in FFA, you have the fast food restaurants down to a science. You know can order, use the restroom, attempt to stretch your legs, and be back in the van with your food in less than 10 minutes. You know exactly what you're going to order depending on the time of day, even if it is a bit unorthodox, like cookies and hashbrowns for breakfast and 3 apple pies along with your Big Mac for any other meal.

9. Teamwork

Many of the CDEs (Career Development Events) are team contests and competition is fierce. Learning and working together as a team is one of the best parts of the FFA experience. You endure the ups and downs of studying, preparing, and competing together and learn what it means to be a team player. The late nights and early mornings lead to silly mistakes, inside jokes that endure for years, and plenty of good laughs.

10. Leadership conferences

There's nothing like 90+ high schoolers taking over a hotel to learn about leadership, get to know members from across the state, and generally have a great time. Songs will be sung at high volumes, crazy dancing with most definitely happen, and friends will be made. At the end of the conference, you return to your chapter with renewed enthusiasm, new ideas, and excitement for the next time you get to be with your new friends.

11. Service

The last line of the FFA motto is "Living to Serve" through FFA I learned the value of serving others. From packaging meals and raising livestock for meat to donate to families in need to raking the leaves along Front St., service is an important aspect of the FFA journey.

12. FFA jackets

We may always complain about how hot they are in the summer, how freezing cold they are in the winter, and how hard they are to get animal slobber off of, but deep down we know the jacket will always hold a place in our hearts. The back of the jacket, with the emblem and where you're from means that you always have a place you belong, your name and the pins on the front show who you are and what you've accomplished, but nothing compares to the confidence it gives. When you put on your FFA jacket for the first time, it leaves a mark that never goes away and most members wouldn't have it any other way.