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Indiana FFA members share agricultural experiences with legislators

Nearly 150 Indiana FFA members promoted the organization and advocated agriculture to legislators today at the Indiana Statehouse.

Indiana FFA President Seth Ariens says FFA Advocacy Day offers members an opportunity to share their experiences with their state representative.

“The Indiana Statehouse is a beautiful place to hold the FFA Advocacy Day. With today being National Ag Day, it’s a beautiful time to hold it as well. It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to share their experiences with some of the most influential people in the state and have that one-on-one time to do that and practice those skills as well,” he says. “…FFA members across the state are talking about their communities, what affects their communities and what issues they have in their communities. So, it really is just a great chance for them to be able to talk to that representative specifically from their district to get the foundational support for their community.”

Audio: Seth Ariens

Gracie Greene is a senior at Hauser Junior-Senior High School and a member of the Hope FFA Chapter.

“When speaking to legislators I really want to express that I’m grateful for agriculture and that’s why I’m in FFA and I want to show support for that,” she says. “(I also want them to know that agriculture is critical to everything) and so to gain support and to really entrust your job and your livelihood with those farmers and American Agriculturalist is something that’s super important.”

Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Don Lamb says the event is a great opportunity for FFA members to speak with legislators.

“It’s huge because they are the future of agriculture. Like State Representative Kendell Culp mentioned today, just having that blue jacket on gives you respect. It’s such a well-known organization and such a well-respected organization that it’s really good to build those relationships. These students are going to go on and do plenty of other things in the next 5-15 years. Who knows what those relationships that maybe started today might bring.”

And, he adds, “it’s always fun to be here (at the statehouse), but it’s really fun to be here when FFA members are here.”

Audio: Don Lamb

The Indiana FFA Association hosted the annual event in partnership with Indiana Farm Bureau.

Greene says, “Indiana Farm Bureau gave a presentation about local government and how we can impact government but then also influence the future of agriculture through that,” she says.

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