From Skeptic to Nat'l Officer, Nyland Comes Full Circle
Published: Friday, November 14, 2025
Listening to her friend Grace on that momentous bus ride to explore programs at the Careerline Tech Center in Holland was one of the best decisions Lilly Nyland made. Having already signed up in the Certified Nursing Assistant program because of her desire to make a difference and help people, Grace's enthusiasm about the ag program prompted Nyland to have a last minute change of heart, in spite of being skeptical to how agriculture could lead to opportunities and a career where she would realize both her passion and potential to make a difference for people.
Rear-view mirror skepticism came full circle when Nyland was elected to serve the more than 1-million members of the FFA organization during the National Convention in Indianapolis late last month, beginning her official duties when the gavel fell at the end of the final session on Nov. 1. She will spend the year connecting with students, FFA partners, ag instructors and people from all walks of life where she will have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of everyone she encounters.
There will be no opportunity shortage as she crosses the nation in her duty to further the mission of the FFA by helping students reach their potential in leadership, personal growth and career success as a national officer takes an average of fifty flights during their time of service.
As Lilly waited and watched during the final convention moments, names of people who had become close friends through the interview process were called. Experiencing a spectrum of emotions—ecstatic for the friends who had already rushed to the stage and a deep sense of hope---she was filled with peace and gratitude for the opportunity, knowing that she was right where she was supposed to be, either as a national FFA officer or not.
"When they began announcing the secretary nominee and led off with Michigan, I immediately thought of all the people back in my home state that supported and loved me and got me to where I was. I wouldn't be here without them," she said.
Her list of mentors, friends and supporters is lengthy. Nyland especially appreciates the time and energy poured into her by Tiffany Rogers-Randolph, state executive director of Michigan FFA and former national FFA officer. She is grateful for close friends like Maza Gusa who traveled eight hours to be with her when she opened her letter to learn if she would move on to the next level of interviews.
The message she wants most to convey is the importance of being authentic and real in finding your passion and place in agriculture, food, and natural resources. It is an authenticity she found as she worked first in the barns, then moving into the office during her supervised ag experience working on a commercial turkey farm.
The authenticity she describes isn't just about making everything look good on the outside. It also means sometimes being vulnerable, describing a situation where she shared her own vulnerability about stress and difficult situations, somewhat accidentally, with another FFA member, who later thanked her for the example of courage in being truly authentic.
"One of my favorite quotes is John 1:5 that says, 'The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it,'" she said. "I want to bring people light by encouraging them to be authentic."
Rogers-Randolph said about Lilly, "She is the perfect capstone to an outstanding year. It's amazing to see Michigan FFA members leading and excelling at every level."
The year has been one of growth for Michigan FFA which surpassed 10,000 members in 2024-25, leading the nation in percentage growth for membership. Nationwide, FFA membership increased 1.5% with membership reaching 1,042, 245 in 9,407 chapters. Leading membership states are Texas (181,939), California (108,143) Georgia (80,184) Florida (65,492) and North Carolina (48,897).
2025 marks the second time Nyland was Michigan's candidate for national FFA office. When asked what was different about this time, she simply said, "Nothing has changed, but everything has deepened." Being more aware of the process showed where extra preparation was helpful, but her biggest transition was that of mindset—from running for national office to serving as national officer.
"It has really reflected in how I practiced, met with stakeholders and partners, and how I prepared and facilitated workshops. It has set me up to be a better national officer."
Former instructor at Careerline Tech, Tony McCaul said that he always saw the potential in her. McCaul encouraged her to try public speaking by entering the high school Farm Bureau Discussion Meet as a first-year member, an event she eventually won.
"Timid me would never have thought I could do that and it was the beginning of my love for public speaking," Nyland said.
The next stages of her year begin in early December when she and the rest of the team will move into an apartment near Indianapolis and complete extensive training in team building, coaching, public speaking, storytelling and developing their messages. They will travel to chapters, state FFA conventions and meet with policy makers and ag industry professionals. The group will travel to Japan to meet with the FFA's sister organization in the Future Farmers of Japan. She hopes to visit Puerto Rico FFA where, as a fully bilingual individual, could deliver her message in the native language of local members.
Following an immediate four-day intense training after convention, Lilly is home to tie up loose ends and spend time with family and friends before uprooting her present life for the next year.
"This will be a time where I will have to learn to personally manage my life and time, find simple ways to fill my bucket and rely on the Lord," she said.
A reception and sendoff for Lilly is being planned for Nov. 24 at Careerline Tech Center where friends, alumni, current FFA member, family, supporters and the ag community will gather to celebrate and send her off to an unforgettable year of service.
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