In this episode, we are joined by my chapter's vice-president Ciara Dods!

Ciara joined FFA after being influenced (passive-aggressively forced...) by her sister who was also enrolled in ag classes. Initially, she wasn't as active. However, after signing up for her first LDE, she began to get more involved within the chapter.

In this sixth episode of Beyond the Blue, we talk about how FFA and our ag classes have impacted us and pushed us to be where we are today. Even though we both don't come from agricultural backgrounds, we both have found places for ourselves within the organization! Listen to this episode to hear more about our recollections from freshman year, advice to those who are thinking about joining, and some of our favorite– and not so favorite LDE's and CDE's!

In her beginning of high school, FFA was slightly out of Carlie's radar. But as she progressed through her freshmen and sophomore year, she made the decision to jump in and get involved. Deepening her involvement in the organization not only "gave her something to do", but has made her the person she is today, an agricultural business major who is passionate about the future of agriculture.

Throughout Carlie's time as an FFA member, she was a Citizenship committee chair, a two-year team AG sales member, and a competitor for individual AG sales. Besides those roles, she has, and still does, play a major role in the AG room and chapter. Whether it's by pushing members to do their very best, being a helpful hand, or giving you the advice you need to hear.

In this episode, we are unzipping her FFA story, the influences from her mentors, and what continuing agriculture after high school is like. However, the takeaways that she has pocketed in her years as a member and are sharing with us in this episode are a must-listen!

So sit back, relax, tuck that tallywacker in, and hear more about life Beyond the Blue!

As an FFA member, it often feels like you have a lot on your shoulders. Between homework, projects, and AET all concepts of keeping up get lost along the way. Finding the balance takes time, a whole lot of missing work, and often times, a break. Tune in this episode to hear my own experiences with burnout caused by this and the ways that I found to get myself out of that slump.