By Matt Browning
Southeast of Saline’s Landon Albrecht grew up with grandparents who were farmers, so it was natural that he would also be interested in FFA.
However, he did not become passionate in the organization until he was in high school. Now he takes great pride in being competitive in FFA.
“In FFA there are numerous ways of competing,” Albrecht said. “Career Development Events or CDE’s are what most people think of when they think of judging contests. Competitions consist of identification, written tests, placing classes, sales pitches, and practical questions. Each different CDE is geared towards a specific area within agriculture such as poultry, livestock, agronomy, ag sales, vet science, etc. Leadership Development Events are contests designed to help students improve speaking and leadership skills.”
Whether a person is 100 percent invested like Albrecht or someone just willing to try something new, he said FFA can be for anyone.
“I would definitely say that what makes farming and the agricultural lifestyle so appealing is the element of honesty and hard work that led to the products that we all depend on,” Albrecht said. “This industry is filled with people who take what has been given to them– seed, soil, animals, sunlight, and rain– and they work to grow those things into the food, fuel, and fiber that provide for the world.”
Albrecht’s specific interest in FFA is crop science and agronomy.
“I find the process of one small seed growing into a plant much bigger than itself, which goes on to produce hundreds more of the same seed incredibly rewarding to see,” Albrecht said. “There is also the wonderful support that everyone within the ag industry gives to one another; all amounting to a very productive and rewarding lifestyle.”
