National FFA hosted a panel discussion in our nation’s capital on Wednesday, July 22, focused on the importance of agricultural education and career and technical education in preparing the next generation. As part of this event, four FFA members shared their experience and how their involvement encouraged them to choose their pathways – from agricultural communication to plant sciences and agricultural education. Industry representatives also discussed the importance of FFA in providing more people to support the talent pipeline.
The discussion was moderated by National FFA President Trey Myers. Panel participants included: Emma Alexander, 2025-26 State President, Virginia FFA; Jordan Berg, 2026-27 State Reporter for Wisconsin FFA; Trey Elizando, senior manager, Global Policy & Strategy, Cargill; Kaitlyn Maruszewski, 2025-26 Indiana FFA state president; Kellie Michaud, agricultural education instructor, Smyrna High School, Delaware; and Rachel Noble, 2025-26 State Vice President, North Carolina FFA Association. View and download pictures from the event here.
This event was supported by CTE Caucus Co-Chairs Senator Todd Young, Senator Tedd Budd, Senator Tim Kaine and Senator Tammy Baldwin.
The week before last, other FFA members and industry representatives were also on Capitol Hill, sharing with Senate staffers the importance of ag education and career technical education as part of the FFA State Officer Summit.
FFA is the top school-based youth leadership development organization in the country, with more than one million members in all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Formerly known as Future Farmers of America, the organization was rebranded to FFA because it now gives students skills to prepare for 350+ careers in business, science, engineering, education, communications, policy and more. To learn more about National FFA, visit https://www.ffa.org/
