Lakeland Future Farners of America (FFA) attended the Gem State Conference at the Coeur D’ Alene Fairgrounds on Feb. 12 and 13.
It was an FFA leadership event. The state officer team visited to discuss how to make a difference through FFA and teach leadership skills.
Each year, several FFA chapters meet to discuss leadership skills and make a deeper connection to agriculture.
This year, there were only four chapters that attended this activity. They were Lakeland High School, Harrison High School, Culdesac High School and Troy High School. This was nice because, with a smaller group, the members were able to explore outside the conference and meet a manageable amount of new people.
HHS is only forty-five minutes away, so they went home and came back just like LHS, while CHS and THS had to stay overnight because of the early sessions the next day and their long drive ahead.
This year, there was a new experience of breaking out into small groups with each of our state officers.
In these groups, we discussed what we had obtained from the last session and how we could apply it after leaving this conference. This was really beneficial.
This conference is something that any FFA member should participate in because it is a fun way to be involved.
The members meet tons of new people and engage with others their own age. It is an easy way to learn more about the agricultural industry and about how to become a leader.
Laura Kelley is the FFA advisor for the LHS FFA chapter. She has made an impact on so many kids, and this event is one of the opportunities that she offers to them.
“The curriculum, presentation, and the excitement was much better than last year,” Kelley said.
Clayton Moore, the Idaho state treasurer for FFA, enjoyed this year more than previously because he had never had a small group before, and it was new.
This year, it was easier to make connections with others because of the activities we participated in.
People also seemed much more relaxed, and it felt that everyone was there for the right reason.
The officers also had a huge impact on the environment. All three of them were fun-loving and outgoing people. That is what initially changed the atmosphere.
There were five sessions, each one addressing a different topic. These topics were easily relatable and beneficial.
“I attended both my freshman and sophomore year, and this year was so much more enjoyable than last year because of the small groups and our leader,” Gracie Gurney said.
