SHOW NOTES:

INTRODUCING AMELIA HAYDEN!

I hear a lot of unique statements interviewing FFA students, but it is always this time of year when I get to interview all of the national star finalists that I hear statements that blow me away.  Most of the time when a student like Amelia Hayden comes on the show I reflect back to myself in high school and at the same age and I realize just how far ahead of me at the same age these students are.

I always ask my guests why they chose to be in the FFA, and I receive a variety of answers.  When I asked Amelia this question she told me that she wanted to join the FFA so that she could do research!  She made this decision in the 8th grade, she knew what she wanted to do with her career later in life and she figured out that being in the FFA would give her the best opportunity to get started right away.

Amelia started out doing research in animal nutrition.  But she quickly transitioned to researching food production.  Specifically Amelia is looking for a way to allow people with peanut allergies to be able to consume peanuts.  And, she has made some progress.

Amelia has a very bright future ahead of her, and being on stage as a national star finalist is just the beginning.

SUPERVISED AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCE: Agriscience

HIGH SCHOOL: Bigfoot High School; Walworth, Wisconsin

MASCOT: Chiefs

FFA ADVISOR: Lisa Konkel

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR AMELIA HAYDEN:

Click on the picture below to be taken to the Big Foot High School website:

Amelia’s FFA Advisors’ Email Addresses: lmkonkel@bigfoot.k12.wi.us

Bigfoot High School’s Telephone Number: (262) 275-2116

FFA LINKS:

National FFA Organization

Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE’s)

Support FFA 

Donate to FFA – One way that FFA students are able to start small businesses is through an FFA grant of $1,000.  In 2014, 141 FFA students received these grants.  With your donations, more students can get this head start – pay it forward.

REASONS TO DONATE TO FFA:

• Only 2% of Americans grow and raise most of the food and livestock consumed by the other 98% as well as the rest of the world.  FFA is providing the needed education, training and resources to Americans that will carry that torch forward and insure that America continues to have inexpensive, quality food.
• Rural Communities will rely on entrepreneurship in the future for population growth and job creation.  The FFA is a major catalyst to that entrepreneurial growth.
• Farmers, ranchers and those working in agriculture give the rest of America incredible amounts of freedom because the search for food is as simple as going to the grocery store:

“The future of American agriculture depends on the involvement and investment in America’s youth, In order to prepare for the population of tomorrow, we need to encourage America’s youth today, and show that careers in agriculture are profitable, rewarding, and vital.”.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue

Where Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald Can Be Heard:

Member Of The National Association Of Farm Broadcasters