INTRODUCING SHAWN JAMISON:

What is a "traditional FFA student"? I ask that question because I think the definition of a "traditional" FFA student is changing. In decades past of course it was a student who grew up on a farm and was furthering the farm education and future career in farming through this program. More recently it has been a student with exposure to farming who is very involved in aspects of what it takes to farm - soils, welding, mechanics, livestock production, etc.

In the not too distant future, I expect this definition to shift again. Through my work conducting interviews with FFA students, and in my own exposure to our local FFA chapter through my daughter being a member and sitting on the advisory committee I see more and more students who are growing up without farming exposure that is joining the FFA.

There are a number of reasons for this. The more students that I interview, the more I believe it is due to the developing knowledge that the FFA is an excellent pathway into a well-paying and very interesting career. Our guest today, Shawn Jamison, epitomizes this.

Shawn is just beginning his FFA journey. He is close to wrapping up his freshman year of high school and his first year in the FFA. Shawn did not grow up on a farm, and his parents are not involved in agriculture. However, Shawn had the insight to see something about himself very early on - he enjoys being outside. And it was this enjoyment of being outside that led him into the FFA.

Even as a freshman Shawn realizes that there are career fields that he can work in that won't have him inside of a climate-controlled environment all day. Shawn wants to feel the wind on his face, breathe fresh air and touch the soil. The FFA is his pathway because he realizes that agriculture is a great industry to allow him to live this life.

What Shawn may not realize yet but soon will, is that when he finishes high school and four years of FFA he will have the skills that enable him to work outdoors but so much more. Between public speaking, record keeping, marketing, entrepreneurship, and everything else that the FFA offers he has already taken a significant step to set himself up for a fantastic life.