National FFA Week Q&A's

McKenna Eglington

Grade: 11

Parents: Casey and Keri Eglinton

Caledonia FFA Chapter

Officer position: President

What chapter activities and contests are you part of? I currently compete in livestock evaluation, forestry, prepared public speaking and extemporaneous public speaking contests. As for activities, I am active in conducting chapter meetings and organizing events for our school to participate in.

What has been one of your proudest moments in FFA so far? My proudest moment was the day I earned the opportunity to become my chapter's president. It proved that the people in my chapter believed I would be a good leader, and my dedication to FFA paid off. I previously served as the reporter, and this role taught me how to collaborate with fellow officers and members within the chapter.

What life skills have you learned in FFA, and how do you see these skills benefitting your future? Confidence. When I began in FFA, speaking in public was a challenge for me. Now, I have participated in several speaking contests and presented to my school various times. I have grown to love public speaking, and I believe it has improved my communication skills.

Why do you enjoy being part of FFA? I enjoy surrounding myself with people who share similar interests and learning more about a field I am passionate about. The things I have learned and experienced will last me a lifetime, and for that, I am forever grateful for this wonderful organization.

What is one of the most interesting things you have learned in an agricultural, food and natural resources class recently? Every year, I am enrolled in summer ag, which allows me to log hours and earn credit based on my knowledge and dedication to a project of my choice. My family owns show goats, so most of my time is spent with them. Over the past few years, I have enjoyed learning about every aspect of caring for and showing livestock. This class has allowed me to pursue an area I am interested in while earning high school credit.

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Nathan Martinson

Grade: 12

Parents: Jeff and Amy Martinson

Austin FFA Chapter

Officer position: Chapter president

What chapter activities and contests are you part of? I have been part of the chapter agricultural mechanics team for four years. I have done extemporaneous speaking for one year. I have been part of our chapter Feed-A-Farmer for all four years. For this, we make packed lunches and take them to the local co-ops and to farmers in the fields. I have also been to state convention all four years of FFA competing at the state level for agricultural mechanics.

What has been one of your proudest moments in FFA so far? When I competed at state for agricultural mechanics and we got second place in the state. Another time would be when I became the chapter president. I never thought when I joined that I would be an officer in general. I would also say placing first at the Region 8 agricultural mechanics competition for the last three years.

What life skills have you learned in FFA and how do you see these skills benefitting your future? One of the best things that I learned while being in FFA is the amount of leadership skills I have gained in the process from being in FFA in general, as well as from being an officer for two years. I would also say I have gained better time management skills in the process with having meetings and keeping them on track and on time.

Why do you enjoy being part of FFA? I enjoy being in FFA because of all the friends and the relationships I have made through the years. Also, the events that I have been to and been involved in. Whether it is at a chapter, region or state event, I have always had a good time. I also enjoy being a part of the chapter and being a leader in the chapter.

What is one of the most interesting things you have learned in an agricultural, food and natural resources class recently? One of the most interesting things that I have learned in my current AFNR class is about creating maps for precision ag work. One of the main things that I am currently learning about is how to create field prescriptions for fertilizers and other applications. I am also learning about the technology side of the precision ag and creating programs for applicators.

What goals would you like to accomplish in FFA this year and in the future?

One goal I want to accomplish this year is to become a region officer for Region 8. My future goals in FFA are to hopefully join my collage ag clubs and become more involved in the ag clubs through the college. I also hope to become an officer for the college level at some point through my four years of college.

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Brooke Tieskotter

Grade: 12

Parents: Andy Tieskotter and Jackie Tieskotter

Chapter: Fillmore Central FFA Chapter

Officer position: Reporter

What chapter activities and contests are you part of? I am currently serving on my chapter’s officer team as the reporter. I also compete on the horse evaluation team, and this will be my fourth year. My team qualified for state this year, and it will be my third time going. Last year, we got second place for horse evaluation, but we are still improving. Another contest that I have ventured in is extemporaneous public speaking. This year was my first year trying it, and I would recommend everyone to give it a try.

What has been one of your proudest moments in FFA so far? One of my proudest moments in FFA happened on April 29, 2025. This was the day my team got called on the stage for placing at state FFA. We were delighted to be on the stage no matter what place we got. To our surprise, we placed second. I felt proud of my team, and it was a great accomplishment for all of us. I was proud of myself, and I was pleased for all of my teammates because I know they worked hard for it.

What life skills have you learned in FFA, and how do you see these skills benefitting your future? I have learned how to be a leader in a group setting. This is an important skill to have, especially in a job setting when you need to lead a project. I also learned to not be afraid to give your ideas. You always have a good idea that people can expand on, so do not be afraid to say it. Another skill I have acquired is helping others through community service. This skill is beneficial to being an active member of your community. In the future, I plan on expanding my community service and helping more people in need. My time in FFA has led to many crucial life skills, all of which will have a positive impact in my future.

Why do you enjoy being part of FFA? FFA is not just an organization, it is a welcoming place for all. I like being in FFA because I can be myself without being judged. I like that there is a contest for everyone, no matter your interests. I feel honored to be in an organization that is so welcoming and friendly to everyone who is involved. Watching people make new friends warms my heart, and I am happy to be a part of that. I also enjoy helping others and giving back to the community.

What is one of the most interesting things you have learned in an agricultural, food and natural resources class recently? This might sound crazy, but I have recently learned that not all black bears are black. I gained this information recently in my Minnesota fish and wildlife class. In this class, we also talked about animal environments and preventing the spread of disease. All of these things are important to know to prevent disease and destruction of habitat. I am thankful for my ag classes because they teach me important life skills that help protect myself and the environment.

What goals would you like to accomplish in FFA this year and in the future? This year, my goal is to be on the awards stage again for horse evaluation. I want to place in the top 5 as an individual, and I also want to place in the top 5 as a team. Moving forward, in the future, I will give back to my chapter. I will do this by donating and supporting the students within the chapter. I think FFA is an important part of a student’s life, and I want to help keep the program thriving.

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Cayden Goslee

Grade: 12

Parents: Justin and Barb Goslee

Lyle FFA Chapter

Officer position: President

What chapter activities and contests are you part of? I have been a part of organizing the drive your tractor to school day and helping with teaching the younger kids in our school about agricultural and machine safety. Our FFA chapter also likes volunteering our time to help with the Lyle Area Cancer Auction. In November, I, along with six other FFA members and one of our advisers from our chapter, got the opportunity to attend Lyle FFA’s first national convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. Other chapter activities I am part of include showing livestock for FFA both at a county and state level. As far as contests, I have been a part of the livestock evaluation Career Development Event team, fish and wildlife CDE, and the agricultural mechanics CDE team.

What has been one of your proudest moments in FFA so far? I have two proud moments. One was when I won reserve champion carcass market beef at the Minnesota State Fair, and when I received the star chapter farmer award from the Lyle FFA chapter.

What life skills have you learned in FFA and how do you see these skills benefitting your future? I have learned it’s OK to try new things, even if it does make you uncomfortable right away to do it.

Why do you enjoy being part of FFA? I enjoy trying new things, meeting new people and sharing things about agriculture with others.

What is one of the most interesting things you have learned in an agricultural, food and natural resources class recently? How to create metal signs on plasma cutter in my ag mechanics class.

What goals would you like to accomplish in FFA this year and in the future? One of my goals in FFA this year is to receive my State FFA Degree and to start working towards my American FFA Degree.

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Elenora "Ele" Struck

Grade: 12

Parents: Brad and Jessi Struck

Austin FFA Chapter

Officer position: Vice president

What chapter activities and contests are you part of? I do livestock evaluation, and I also show livestock and end up at the state fair FFA weekend judging and showing livestock.

What has been one of your proudest moments in FFA so far? When our younger livestock evaluation team made it to state for my senior year. They put a lot of work into practicing and fully understanding what was going on in general livestock, and it was great to see how excited they got when we got announced that we were going to state.

What life skills have you learned in FFA, and how do you see these skills benefitting your future? I feel that most people would say I am pretty outgoing, but being in FFA has really made me channel my confidence to know what was going on and have the confidence to tell people that I knew what was going on. A lot of the times, they feel that I keep what I know a little bit to myself, and FFA has really made me open up and share my knowledge and just be a good leader. It’s really giving me those leadership skills that anybody can use, and I’m really excited to take them with me as a useful next step forward into college and onto some of these bigger jobs than a high school job.

Why do you enjoy being part of FFA? I love being in FFA because I’ve found people that I connect with, and they have the same understanding I do for agriculture, livestock and being a leader. I get to show people that I actually know what’s going on and how to put myself out there as a leader.

What is one of the most interesting things you have learned in an agricultural, food and natural resources class recently? I’m also a full-time college student at Riverland Community College, so I did not get the chance to take anything this year or last semester, but when I did take the class, I really enjoyed going more in-depth into how agriculture is really all around us. I have my livestock, and I show livestock and I also know what it takes to put food on the table. We went in-depth on things like cereal, and it was just fun because it was something different that you didn’t really realize was connected to agriculture.

What goals would you like to accomplish in FFA this year and in the future? This year, one of my goals is to be a Region 8 officer. I had a lot of complications with getting my state degree, so I wasn’t able to accomplish that goal, but my next one is becoming a Region 8 officer. I want to take everything that I’ve learned these last four to six years into my college career with me, being more outgoing and confident in myself and using those leadership skills in class or in a group project. I really enjoy FFA, and it has brought me so much joy.

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Treyton Alberts

Grade: 12

Parents: Eric and Angie Alberts

Pine Island FFA Chapter

Officer position: Vice president

What chapter activities and contests are you part of? I have competed in dairy evaluation every year in FFA, making it to state every year, along with many chapter events such as donkey basketball that we did two years ago and again this year. Our annual tractor drive at the elementary school visit is in the spring, along with a petting zoo.

What has been one of your proudest moments in FFA so far? Winning second place in my first year in the state FFA safe tractor operator contest. In this contest, there is a written exam, two driving contests, four wheeled wagon and two wheeled trailer, as well as a safety check.

What life skills have you learned in FFA, and how do you see these skills benefiting your future? I have learned many leadership skills, such as effective communication, that help when interacting with new business partners and small groups. Being involved in running chapter meetings and hosting other small events, such as middle school ag Olympics, all helped me be more comfortable talking to new people and be able to voice my opinion in a group of people.

Why do you enjoy being part of FFA? I enjoy the community that is created with people in and outside of our chapter. Having a group of kids all interested in agriculture as much as me makes the school day more enjoyable.

What is one of the most interesting things you have learned in an agricultural, food and natural resources class recently? Helicopters are a main way of harvesting Christmas trees.

What goals would you like to accomplish in FFA this year and in the future? I hope to earn my State FFA Degree and apply for star farmer for the next state convention. In our chapter, I hope to have another successful donkey basketball event that can continue for the chapter.