Recent Adventures of Ashlyn

Friday March 23^rd through Sunday March 25^th I had the opportunity to attend the Women’s Farm Bureau Conference. I was astonished when I found out that over 400 women from all across the state of Virginia were in attendance, of all ages! On Saturday I had the opportunity to attend three different types of workshops about Facebook, How Hope CANNOT feed America, and Gen Flexing. Gen Flexing was my absolute favorite and by far one of the most interesting workshops I have ever attended. Gen Flexing or Generation Flexibility was about learning how to best communicate with different generations and realizing how they grew up does affect their methods and means of communication and life. Overall the Women’s Farm Bureau Conference was an awesome experience that I would definitely love to do again. It was a great opportunity to meet new people, learn new things, and to just enjoy yourself!

The following Wednesday March 28 I had the opportunity to go visit the Auburn High School FFA Chapter with Maggie. We did workshops on the characteristics of a good leader and opportunities through the FFA. We had all grades and ages and it was really cool and exciting to hear what all they had to say. So to say the least I had an awesome time with the Auburn FFA Chapter! I am now getting ready for the Appalachian Area GPS Conference at Pulaski County High School tomorrow! It is always an amazing time bringing together a bunch of FFA members from different school so I am very excited to see how tomorrow goes! The past few days has been packed with a lot of different FFA activities and I have really enjoyed it!!!

State Convention is Coming!

Virginia FFA! The time we’ve all been waiting for is almost here, the 86^th Annual Virginia FFA State Convention, June 18^th – 21^st at Virginia Tech! Get ready for an action packed three days filled with Career Development Events, awesome workshops, and sessions featuring guest speakers & members just like you being awarded for their accomplishments over the year!This year we will hear the inspiring words of our Central Region National FFA Vice President, Alicia Hodnik, originally from the state of Wisconsin! Following on Tuesday night we’ll listen to the motivational words of Grant Baldwin. Finally on Wednesday night, we’ll hear the retiring address from our very own 2011-2012 Virginia FFA State President, Brian Walsh. We have some pretty excellent speakers lined up, so be sure you don’t miss them!

While at Virginia Tech check out the Squires Student Center, where you can shoot some pool and bowl a strike on the bowling alley! Create memories with members of your chapter. Step out of your comfort zone and start a conversation with a member you may not know. Also be sure to update your Virginia Tech apparel at the university bookstore!

The state officer team challenges you to Ignite The Power! We believe each one of us holds a power to make a positive impact in our community. Whether that be a skill or trait, all you have to do is find it and ignite it! Once you’ve found it, you have to explore it, find how you’re going to make it bigger, better, and stronger! Also, how you will use it to benefit not only yourself but others around you. And finally, when it’s ready to be shared with others, the dynamite stick will explode like a firework! You can make a difference in your community, but it’s up to you when you’re going to use it and how you’re going to do it.

Be sure you’re studying hard and preparing for your CDE’s you’re competing in! Don’t forget to pack your official dress! We’ll see you at the 86^th Annual Virginia FFA State Convention!

The 2011-2012 State Officer Team!

Virginia Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer’s Winter Expo

On February 4^th all of the Virginia State Officers gathered in Leesburg, Virginia at the National Conference Center for the Virginia Farm Bureau Young Farmers Expo. We were all very excited because for the FIRST TIME EVER the Virginia Farm Bureau Young Farmers (VAFB) joined the Maryland Farm Bureau Young Farmers (MFB)! So not only did we get to see our friends in the VAFB but we also got to meet some new friends with the MFB, and visit with the Maryland State Officers! The main focus of the expo was to look at the production of foods in the urban setting of Leesburg. With the urban sprawl going on the talked with the farmers about how they preserve their rural practices with agriculture. After tours around the Leesburg area the state officers attended workshops that discussed Farm Bureau’s stance on agricultural issues. We also got the chance to other young farmers from Virginia about issues they face in their area. We conversed about so much, whether it was an issue with the Chesapeake Bay or Sunday hunting rights, we had the chance to talk about it! It was a very exciting and educational weekend. It was very cool to catch up with the Maryland State Officers and meet members from the Maryland Farm Bureau Young Farmers. The Virginia State Officers cannot wait until the next Virginia Farm Bureau Young Farmer event!

FFA Week – I Believe!

The week 540,379 FFA members had waited the whole year for, was finally here…FFA Week!!! Facebook was flooded with blue jackets and posts about FFA and agriculture. FFA members across the country got the word out about the impact FFA has had on their lives as they told their own unique story.

During FFA week the state officers had an incredible opportunity to travel all across the state celebrating with FFA chapters. We visited a total of 23 chapters that week and met hundreds of awesome members. The days started early, ended late and covered hundreds of miles.

For me, this was a week I will never forget. I was so inspired by members as we celebrated FFA Week by remembering that we each hold a special purpose in life.

The first day of our Goodwill Tour was in the Central Area. We started the first day with the Eastern View FFA chapter and then traveled to Culpeper Middle, where we were greeted by sixty 7^th graders all enrolled in Career and Tech classes. Next we met the students of the Floyd T. Binns FFA chapter and then ended our day with the Culpeper High chapter.

Our next day began in the Eastern Area with the chapter from Essex High School making us breakfast. We then traveled to King William and Norfolk Tech Center. We ended our day at Nottoway where we enjoyed a pizza party and spending time hanging out with members.

The 2011-2012 Virginia FFA State Officers during FFA Week!

Wednesday we spent the day in Southside where we had a pancake breakfast with the Amelia FFA chapter and then moved on to Prince Edward. We then had lunch with the officers from Randolph Henry and Central Middle School. We then had the honor of putting on an assembly for 500 students of Chatham Middle School. It was quite exciting as we got them excited about being responsible. We ended our evening with the Appomattox Senior chapter as we went skating and played laser tag.

Thursday we woke up in the Appalachian Area and began with breakfast at Holston High School. Next we went to Virginia High were we got to encourage a first year chapter. We then traveled to Tazewell and spoke to the high school and middle school students. We ended the day with dinner at the Beverly Manor chapter.

Our final day was in the Northern Area. We began the day with warm welcomes from the students of Highland High School. We continued on to Wilson Middle and Turner Ashby for lunch. We ended our tour in Shenandoah County at Central High School and Signal Knob Middle School.

This week reminded me of the impact that FFA has on students’ lives. As we were leaving one of the schools during the week a member gave my team a letter. My first thought was, “What a kind gesture, that was so sweet.” I did not realize at the time what an impact that letter would have on me. As we made our way to dinner that night we pulled out the letter. I was inspired, motivated and truly moved by the words this member had taken the time to write. She told us how FFA has changed her life and how it has helped her to find her true passion. She inspired us to keep trying to impact the lives of FFA members. This truly reminded me why we have a week set aside to celebrate the FFA!