More than 100 members of the National FFA Organization from southeast Arkansas recently gathered for the Pine Tree Subarea Leadership Development Events at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM). This annual event provided students the chance to hone their skills and explore future career paths in agriculture.
Participants represented various FFA chapters from Crossett, Drew Central, Hamburg, Hermitage, Lake Village, McGehee, Star City, and White Hall. The competition focused on leadership, public speaking, and agricultural knowledge.
Hailey Bliss from Drew Central shared her experience: “Competing today helped me grow as a leader and reminded me why I love being part of FFA. The event at UAM was exciting because it opened my eyes to opportunities in agriculture after high school, like college degree options.”
The Pine Tree Subarea events help students prepare for larger district and state competitions. This experience is not just about winning; it builds essential skills for college and future careers. Brittany Leek, an agriculture teacher at Drew Central, organized the contests and collaborated with UAM faculty. “We’re very grateful to UAM for supporting our students,” she noted. “These events let students step out of their comfort zones, boost their confidence, and discover their capabilities.”
Leadership Development Events provide hands-on experiences that equip FFA members for roles in agriculture and their communities. Participants engage in different events like public speaking, parliamentary procedures, and job interviews—each evaluated on content, presentation, teamwork, and leadership skills.
Several UAM staff members served as judges during the competition, lending their expertise to assess student performances. Lonni Davis, a UAM agriculture faculty member and former FFA adviser, emphasized the importance of these events: “As a former ag teacher, I know how vital these contests are for nurturing our future leaders.”
The competition saw impressive performances. Here are some of the winning participants:
Creed Speaking:
- First: Trinity Bruce (Star City)
- Second: Madison Bussell (Drew Central)
Prepared Public Speaking:
- First: Lindsey Spurlin (White Hall)
- Second: Hailey Bliss (Drew Central)
Extemporaneous Public Speaking:
- First: Jack Menard (White Hall)
- Second: Lane Ortego (Star City)
Discussion Meet:
- First: Lindsey Spurlin (White Hall)
- Second: Brooke Martin (Star City)
Job Interview:
- First: Joshua Todd (White Hall)
- Second: Marley Ford (Star City)
Conduct of Chapter Meeting:
- First: Rison
- Second: Drew Central
Parliamentary Procedure:
- First: McGehee
- Second: Star City
These events highlight the importance of community support in the development of young leaders. In a time where agriculture is essential for our economy, building skills in the next generation is crucial. According to the USDA, the agriculture sector is projected to employ nearly 60,000 new workers annually, emphasizing the need for strong training programs like FFA.
As the world changes, so do the opportunities for young leaders. Engaging in events like these helps students prepare for the challenges ahead, encouraging them to take active roles in shaping the future of agriculture and their communities.
