At the 2023 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster, Ron Hays, caught up with National FFA Officer from Skiatook, Oklahoma, Karstyn Cantrell.
Cantrell is the National Vice President for the Central Region and will give her retirement address at the end of the week.
“It has been 367 days since I was elected to national FFA office,” Cantrell said. “On October 29, I ran on stage, and my life has truly been changed for the better.”
Over the past year, Cantrell said she has had the chance to travel around the U.S. to nine state conventions, five camps, many conferences, and more.
Cantrell said one of the priorities of the national FFA officer team has been to allow the student voice to be heard along with the agriculture industry as a whole.
“We were founded by farm boys who knew exactly what they wanted this organization to stand upon, which is production agriculture,” Cantrell said. “We as a team are making sure we are keeping that mission at heart while still finding ways to evolve towards the future.”
One of Cantrell’s favorite parts of her service this past year has been the chance to have real conversations with FFA members.
“It is too often that people expect national officers always to have their life together and have everything figured out,” Cantrell said. “I think something that is really special is we get to meet people where they are, and they get to meet us where we are.”
Looking at this year’s convention, Cantrell said she is looking forward to bringing honor to the FFA tradition that has been in her family for many years.
Cantrell will be giving her retiring address at the 2 p.m. session on Thursday afternoon. For that retiring address, Cantrell gave a little glimpse into what she will be talking about. The sessions will be livestreamed HERE.
“Something I have taken from this year is finding how trial can produce perseverance,” Cantrell said.
Our coverage of Oklahoma FFA engaged at the National FFA Convention is being powered by Oklahoma Farm Bureau. Watch for our stories and interviews from Indianapolis on our Website, Daily Email, our statewide Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and our Social Media Channels. Click here for the OKFB website to learn about how they are making a difference in lives of Oklahomans. Oklahoma Farm Bureau supports the youth of rural Oklahoma year round- and reminds you- Together- We Are Rural Oklahoma!
