Oklahoma FFA member Jalyn Lundry of the Haywood FFA Chapter is preparing to represent the state in the Creed Speech Contest at the 99th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. With a longtime appreciation for the FFA Creed and a growing passion for agricultural advocacy, Lundry hopes to use the words written nearly a century ago by E.M. Tiffany to inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Lundry said her connection to the creed began in childhood, growing up with a father who was an agricultural education teacher. “I’ve always loved the creed,” Lundry said. “Growing up, my dad was an agricultural education teacher, and I always can remember myself sitting there as a little child, looking forward to my opportunity to get to finally memorize the creed.”
That opportunity came during her freshman year of high school, when she memorized the creed and began developing a deeper appreciation for its message. “Now I enjoy saying it almost every day,” she said.
FFA Creed Continues to Inspire Young Agricultural Leaders
For Lundry, one of the most impressive aspects of the FFA Creed is its longevity and continued relevance to agriculture today. “First off, what impresses me is that it has withstood for almost 100 years,” Lundry said. “The creed has almost been around for 100 years, so that is first off a very cool accomplishment for E.M. Tiffany.”
She added that the creed’s message continues to resonate with FFA members as they explore their place in agriculture and consider their future careers. “His words still apply to today in agriculture, and to me as an FFA member, I get to read and enjoy those words and understand the joys and discomforts and certain phrases of the creed that really stick out to me,” Lundry said. “I know that I will get to apply to my FFA experience.”
Lundry believes the creed was written to encourage young people to become involved in agriculture and recognize the opportunities available to them. “The reason the creed was written was to basically impress FFA members like us and to get us encouraged to get involved in agriculture,” she said.
She pointed to the creed’s closing message about making a difference in one’s home and community as particularly important for young people considering their futures. “The last line of the creed talks about leaving an influence on your community and how we will take part in this inspiring task,” Lundry said. “The creed was written to get FFA members excited and want to pursue agriculture as their career option.”
Oklahoma FFA Member Advocates for Agriculture on TikTok
Beyond the competition stage, Lundry has found another way to share her passion for agriculture and encourage conversations about the industry.
After attending the National FFA Convention last year, she was inspired by remarks from Secretary Brooke Rollins about empowering young people to use their voices. “I went home with a little bit of a want to start something,” Lundry said.
That inspiration led her to create a TikTok platform called The Final Bid, where she advocates for agriculture by asking an agriculture-related question each day and engaging with her followers about current industry topics. “I ask an ag-related question every day, and I’m able to communicate with my followers about recent ag topics,” she said.
The platform also gives Lundry an opportunity to promote another passion: auctioneering. As a first-generation female auctioneer, she said she enjoys bringing both interests together through her online advocacy. “I’m able to tie two things I’m passionate about and advocate for them on a daily level, and it just brings me so much excitement and joy knowing that I’m doing it for the good,” Lundry said.
Her recent discussions have included questions about the FFA Creed and why people believe in the future of agriculture. She has also explored the farm bill and its potential effects on agricultural producers in today’s economy.
By asking questions and encouraging discussion, Lundry is working to help others better understand agriculture and the issues affecting those who work in the industry.
Creed Speech Contest Helps Build Confidence and Leadership Skills
As she prepares to compete at the national level, Lundry said the experience is helping her grow both personally and professionally.
Delivering the creed before an audience challenges her to step outside her comfort zone while also giving her time to reflect on the principles she hopes to carry into her future. “First off, getting to give the creed in front of so many people is helping me step out of my comfort zone,” Lundry said.
She added that the competition has encouraged her to think more deeply about how the creed’s message can guide her future. “I’m taking into context what the creed is truly saying, and I’m learning how I will be able to apply that to my future career as well as my future agriculturist career,” she said.
For Lundry, the creed is more than a speech to memorize. It represents the responsibilities agricultural leaders have to their communities and the importance of ensuring agriculture has a strong future.
As she represents Oklahoma at the National FFA Convention, Lundry will carry that message with her — both through the words she delivers on stage and through the agricultural conversations she continues to encourage online.
