Bethany Bohnenblust Named 2009-2010 National FFA Secretary
INDIANAPOLIS Bethany Bohnenblust believes that every FFA member has a story to tell about their experiences in FFA. She knows that investing time in another persons story can be the encouragement that person needs to write his or her FFA legacy. She is going to have the opportunity to hear many member stories in the coming year when she serves as the 2009-2010 National FFA Secretary. She was elected to that office today at the 82nd National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. This Labette County High School FFA Chapter member from Altamont, Kan., was among six individuals selected from a field of 39 to hold a national office. She is the daughter of Jeff and Dee, and her FFA advisors are Jeff Falkerstien, Dustin Wiley and Kyle Zwahlen.
Fulfilling her position will require traveling more than 100,000 miles; meeting top leaders in business, government and education; visiting approximately 40 states; and participating in an international experience tour to Japan. Her responsibilities will include providing personal growth and leadership training for students, setting policies that shape the future of the organization and promoting agricultural literacy.
The national FFA officer selection process is intense and represents an assessment of years of academic and extracurricular accomplishments made by each student running for office. Nominees must first qualify on the state level to represent their particular state FFA associations. They then submit a thorough application, detailing their accomplishments and contributions to the community, along with an essay explaining their desire to be elected to national office. Once at the convention, candidates participate in five rounds of interviews, take an in-depth written test on the organization and agricultural education topics and complete two writing exercises.
A panel of nine state FFA officers comprises the nominating committee that proposes the slate of six officers for approval by the convention delegates.
Bohnenblust attends Kansas State University in Manhattan, with a double major in agriculture communications and agriculture economics. While at school, she serves as an ag ambassador, is a member of the student alumni board, leads a Bible study group and is a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters. In 2007 she served as president of the Kansas FFA Association.
As a member of FFA, Bohnenblust has had several supervised agricultural experience (SAE) programs. She has created a wildlife habitat on her family farm; raised sheep, rabbits, chickens and goats; and worked as a laborer and rental property co-manager for Bohnenblust Farms. She has also won many awards in her FFA career, including public speaking, agricultural sales and agronomy career development events all of which she donated to a local childrens organization.
"I truly have a passion to serve others and to see them succeed, especially in the blue jacket," said Bohnenblust. "Serving as a national officer, I have the opportunity to not only hear other people's stories and how they are adding to FFA, but I can help them discover the purpose that only they can accomplish."
The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 506,199 student members all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture as part of 7,429 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The National FFA Organization changed to its present name in 1988, in recognition of the growth and diversity of agriculture and agricultural education. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a Federal Charter granted by the 81st Congress of the United States, and is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. Visit www.ffa.org for more information.