Last week, National Sorghum Producers board director Kent Martin from Alva, Oklahoma, and his daughter Katelee Martin took part in a townhall meeting hosted by Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin who answered questions relating to the farm bill and provided an outlook for the remainder of the legislative session.
Katelee is a junior at Alva High School and is the Alva FFA Chapter Reporter. Here’s an excerpt from an article she wrote covering the event:
LOVE THE PEOPLE, LOVE THE CALL
“’You’ll never change anything you’re willing to tolerate.’ – Senator Markwayne Mullin. On August 29, 2024, Senator Mullin visited Alva, Oklahoma for a town hall meeting. He spoke on new and upcoming topics in the Senate and gave foresight on possible government changes based on the upcoming election.
Katelee Martin, Jansen Shirley, Brady Lott, and Avery McMurphy, four Alva FFA officers, attended the meeting and spoke with Senator Mullin. Mullin grew up on a farm and reminisced about waking up at 3 a.m. to milk cows as a child. He still participates with the family farm and works on it when he isn’t in Washington D.C. Mullin said the decision to move from farm life to senator life was difficult, but he felt that God called him to the change. Mullin was shocked by the difference between the big city and the Oklahoma countryside. He lives by the adage, “Love the people, love the call.” Mullin’s love for the people of Oklahoma and the United States of America fueled his decision to become a senator to be a voice for the state of Oklahoma.
Katelee Martin, Alva FFA Chapter Reporter, asked Senator Mullin how he thinks FFA members will impact the future of the government and society. Mullin believes that agriculture students will hold many positions of leadership in the future. “Ag kids know the value of hard work, and they know there is no excuse to not go out and work hard every day.” He spoke of the leadership skills that FFA members gain through their FFA experience that many other students don’t have the opportunity to learn. Mullin pointed out that some of the most well spoken kids he has conversations with are FFA members. Mullin believes that as Generation Z becomes old enough to participate in politics as senators, representatives, or even presidents, many of them will be former ag kids and FFA members.”
