Inspiration from Future Farmers of America (FFA) Alumni

Kenny Jensen
Rental Manager

I would strongly encourage every student to participate in FFA. It teaches responsibility and that’s something we can always use more of.

In FFA, you become part of a team working toward common goals. It’s competition built on integrity, kindness, and encouraging fellow members to succeed. Along the way, you gain valuable skills like time management, strong work ethic, goal setting, problem solving, and business fundamentals.

FFA helps develop leadership, accountability and character, skills that stay with you for a lifetime. The lessons learned through FFA prepare students not only for careers in agriculture, but also for opportunities in the skilled trades, technical fields and leadership roles in their communities.

Annde Berryman
Power Solutions Rental Sales Rep

Annde Berryman participated in the Sherwood Cass R-VIII Area 5 FFA program serving the Creighton, Missouri area.

As a freshman, Annde helped establish the chapter alongside a small group of classmates. What started with just 10 students quickly grew into a thriving program of about 40 members by the time she graduated. The chapter began through the school’s shop class and continued to expand as more students became interested in the opportunities FFA provided.

Annde enjoyed many aspects of the program, particularly public speaking and competitions. She participated in soil sampling and livestock judging, worked on welding projects and even built a trailer. The chapter also organized fundraising efforts, selling fruit and meat products to help support travel to conventions and FFA events.

Through these experiences, Annde developed strong communication skills and learned how to work with many different types of people. The relationships she built and the teamwork required through FFA helped prepare her for the professional world.

Today, Annde works as a Power Solutions Rental Sales Representative. She credits FFA with helping her develop the confidence and communication skills she relies on today, especially when working with Customers who are under pressure to quickly solve emergency power situations.

Lane Hecht
Equipment Tech III

FFA provides a strong foundation for building both life skills and career opportunities. I was involved in the Tonganoxie, Kansas chapter of FFA, where I gained experiences that helped shape my work ethic and approach to work.

Through FFA, I learned the value of hard work and the pride that comes from earning an honest living. The program also gave me the opportunity to expand my education, develop practical skills and build character and integrity that continue to guide me today.

FFA showed me what can be accomplished through persistence and passion. Those lessons carried beyond the classroom and helped prepare me for both my military service and my career in the equipment industry.

Today, I serve in the Navy Reserves as a Construction Mechanic and Seabee, and I work as an Equipment Technician at Foley Equipment in Topeka, Kansas. The skills and discipline I developed through FFA continue to play a role in both my work and service.

Chase Garn
Power Solutions General EPG Service Manager

Chase Garn grew up in the Dover, Kansas area, where agriculture and hard work were a natural part of daily life. During his time in FFA, Chase stayed involved in many different activities, particularly projects focused on forages and livestock.

Through those experiences, he learned the value of hard work and the importance of sticking with a task until it was finished. FFA also helped him develop strong communication skills and take pride in doing a job well.

After high school, Chase served four years in the United States Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. During his service, he completed two deployments and had the opportunity to visit six different countries.

Today, Chase works as the Power Solutions General EPG Service Manager. He credits his early experiences in FFA with helping build the work ethic, communication skills and pride in craftsmanship that continue to guide him in his career.

David Carroll
Power Solutions Product Support Sales Rep

David grew up in Gresham, Wisconsin, a small community with a small school district. Even though he did not come from a farming background, FFA gave him an opportunity to get involved, try new things and interact with people in ways he may not have otherwise experienced.

What interested him most was the business side of FFA. He enjoyed learning about how businesses operate, how technology can be used to improve operations, and how different parts of agriculture and industry work together. David took advantage of every opportunity he could, dipping his toe into a wide range of FFA activities and experiences.

One of the most valuable things he gained from FFA was the ability to connect with others. Through competitions, meetings, and events, he learned how to network, communicate with different kinds of people, and have meaningful conversations.

Those interpersonal skills stayed with him.

The ability to build relationships, communicate effectively, and understand different perspectives has played a major role in his professional life and continues to shape his business relationships today.

Nathan Carroll
Equipment Shop Manager

Nathan Carroll grew up in Lawson, Missouri, on a farm that has been in his family since 1884. Farming is still part of his life today. While he has spent more than 10 years working for Foley Equipment, he continues to run a small cow/calf operation on the family farm.

Nathan’s mechanical background started early.

When he first interviewed at Foley, most of his experience came from growing up on the farm and his involvement in FFA. During the interview, the hiring manager asked him the familiar question, “Why should I hire you?” Nathan didn’t hesitate.

“I grew up with a wrench in my hand. I maintain all my farm equipment myself and everything is still running!”

That hands-on experience helped him land the job.

Nathan started his career at Foley working in the track bay. Over time, he’s taken on a variety of roles and responsibilities, building experience across the shop and growing with the company. Today, he serves as the Equipment Shop Manager at Foley’s St. Joseph facility.

Nathan credits much of his foundation to FFA.

“Without the experience afforded to me by FFA, I may not have had the success on both my farm and my job. FFA played a key role in helping me become a successful producer, mechanic and manager.”

Ryan Slattery
Compact Construction Equipment Sales Rep

Ryan Slattery was raised in Amsterdam, Missouri, a small rural community in Bates County where agriculture and hard work are part of everyday life.

During his time in FFA, Ryan participated in a wide range of activities. He was involved in livestock projects, competed on the trap shooting team and volunteered his time helping build cabins at a church camp. FFA helped Ryan develop strong communication and presentation skills. One of the most important parts of his FFA experience; however, was his SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience) project.

An SAE project allows students to apply what they learn in the classroom through real-world agricultural work or business projects. Ryan focused his project on forages, gaining hands-on experience with crops, production and management.

Ryan’s interest in entrepreneurship started early. While still in high school, he launched a small business of his own. On 10 acres of rented land, he planted brome grass, harvested it using his grandfather’s baler and sold square bales.

Today, Ryan works as a Compact Construction Equipment Sales Representative. Looking back, he credits his SAE project and FFA experiences with helping him develop the skills that prepared him for his career.

In Conclusion

The Future Farmers of America (FFA) was founded in 1928 by a group of young farmers who recognized the importance of preparing the next generation to meet the challenge of feeding a growing population. The organization held its first national convention in Kansas City, making its roots especially meaningful for those of us across Kansas, Missouri and the Midwest.

Nearly a century later, the National FFA Organization continues to carry that mission forward by helping students develop their unique talents, build leadership skills and explore a wide range of career pathways connected to agriculture, technology, and the skilled trades.

Whenever you see a project or event led by your local FFA chapter, please take a moment to offer your encouragement and support. These students are developing the skills, character and work ethic that will help shape the future of our communities and industries.