Indiana FFA State President Talks State, Nat'l FFA
Published: Friday, October 25, 2024
As the National FFA Convention and Expo kicks into full gear, Indiana State FFA President and Prairie Heights FFA member Ethan Wolheter takes a moment to talk about what the event means to him and how FFA has impacted his life in a question-and-answer session.
Question: What does the 2024 convention theme "Engage" mean to you?
Wolheter: The theme "Engage" means involving every FFA member across the nation so that they can get the most out of their time in FFA. Students that have the opportunity to be a part of FFA and all that it has to offer are tremendously impacted in a positive way in terms of leadership, growth and agricultural awareness and advocacy, which is why it is key for all students across the country to be engaged. "Engage" as the theme name reinstates the ideals of FFA and our goal to connect with all to help develop the leaders of tomorrow.
Question: How has the Indiana State officer team been preparing for the Nat-ional FFA Convention and Expo?
Wolheter: We have been busy preparing for convention by preparing for our committees that we will be a part of as delegates for Indiana FFA.
Question: How do you hope this year's convention will impact FFA members across the nation?
Wolheter: I am hopeful that members across the nation will have the opportunity to be inspired and learn more about FFA at this year's national convention. This is a unique opportunity for members to experience FFA at a whole new level. National convention has so many opportunities from the sessions to the expo hall, so I hope that each individual that travels to Indianapolis takes advantage of every opportunity.
Question: What makes the National FFA Convention special to you?
Wolheter: National FFA Convention is very special to me due to the fact that it is where I first fell in love whole-heartedly with FFA. My sophomore year was my first time at national convention and I was inspired by the sessions and retiring addresses run and given by the national officers. This experience encouraged me to get more involved in FFA in all aspects and is in part why I am a state officer today.
Question: How have you grown in your leadership since taking office as president this summer?
Wolheter: I have grown in so many different ways since being elected to Indiana FFA state office this summer. Through numerous trainings with National FFA and many other experienced professionals in the areas of agriculture and leadership, my communication skills have greatly improved in a multitude of different ways. I have gained many facilitation skills through real-world experiences in the classroom and at conferences held at the Indiana FFA Leadership Center.
Question: How has being the Indiana FFA president given you a better understanding of Indiana agriculture?
Wolheter: As I have served as Indiana FFA State president throughout the year I have had the amazing opportunity to learn about many new facets of Indiana agriculture. I have been able to learn more about the different family farms across the state that are involved in all different parts of agriculture from meeting with the featured farmers during the great Indiana State Fair. I was also able to learn more about the legislation behind agriculture due to Indiana FFA being directly connected to the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.
Question: What challenges have you faced as Indiana FFA president?
Wolheter: As a state officer I have been challenged in many different areas, all that have led to growth. One of the greatest challenges that I have faced is learning load management with the filled schedule that a state officer has. This has driven me to learn new time management strategies and implement them. I have also learned the importance of representing an organization well, as an Indiana FFA state officers our team represents this organization and knowing how to represent an organization well will help me at many other levels.
Question: Which element of the FFA creed resonates most with you and why?
Wolheter: As basic as it may seem the first words of the creed resonate the most with me due to its fame and broad scope of meaning. "I believe in the future of agriculture" are words known by many and continue to inspire FFA members across the nation. These few words encapsulate all that FFA stands for and represent all areas of agriculture which promotes the fact that everyone has a place in FFA.
Question: What are you looking forward to the most at this convention?
Wolheter: I am looking forward to being a part of the delegate process and representing Indiana FFA at the national level. As an Indiana FFA state officer I am able to serve as a delegate for our state and serve on a committee to give student input to the National FFA Organization. Representing Indiana FFA will be both an honor and a joy.
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