Rob Brenneman still remembers the first day of ag class with his teacher and Keota FFA advisor Duane Sprouse.
“I was a freshman in high school wondering what direction I was going to go in life —wondering if I would ever be able to farm,” Brenneman recalls. “Duane told us, ‘You can do anything you want, you’ve just got to put your mind to it.’”
One of the pieces of advice he shared with the students was “where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Brenneman says that he’s never forgot the things his ag teacher told their class that day.
“It’s been my motto ever since then,” Brenneman says. “FFA was the stepping stone for what I believed was an opportunity for me to grow in my knowledge of agriculture and farming.”
He believes FFA made him a better person and instilled a drive within to be the best he could be.
“When we were freshmen in high school, I went to the National FFA Convention. I remember hearing the officers’ retirement speeches and they were absolutely amazing,” Brenneman says. “One of the retiring officer’s was Dwight Segmiller who later became one of my bankers. Their talent blew my mind and made the hair stand up on the back of my head.”
Today, Brenneman owns and operates Brenneman Pork, a family-run swine and grain operation in Washington, Iowa. Read more about Brenneman here.
Life-changing opportunities, invaluable leadership lessons and connections to build your future on are just a few of the reasons why FFA has meant so much to Brenneman and the numerous alumni of the organization. Here’s a look at more familiar faces in the pork industry who credit FFA with helping them find their way into the pork industry and how it changed their lives.
“Looking back, I’m grateful for the public speaking and leadership training I received as a state FFA officer. However, I think the most impactful thing FFA did in my life was allow me to grow as a leader while opening doors for my future in the swine industry. Because I was a state officer, I couldn’t attend college out of state. At the time, doors were closed for livestock judging and an education at a land-grant university. But in hindsight, earning a degree close to home afforded me the opportunity to continue managing my sows, ultimately allowing me to stay connected to the swine industry. The strong network formed during that time and lived experiences I gained through FFA are the very foundation of my business, farm and brand today.” –Jesse Heimer of Taylor, Mo.
Heimer is the owner/operator of Heimer Hampshires. He was a member of Palmyra FFA in Missouri. Read more about Heimer here.
“FFA played a significant role in shaping my life. I actively participated in showing livestock, public speaking, parliamentary procedure and ag mechanics. The skills I gained in ag mechanics proved invaluable, as they enabled me to combine my passion for livestock with my craftsmanship. I went on to start a business that creates custom livestock awards, serving clients across the country. The skills I gained from raising livestock are not only essential, but they are also something I apply daily in my work at Dadson Farms.” –Kara Dadson of Paso Robles, Calif.
Dadson is co-owner and social media manager of Dadson Farms. She was a member of Shandon FFA in California. Read more about Dadson here
“FFA, to some, is just an activity—for me, it’s been my life. Growing up with an ag teacher as a dad basically meant I became an FFA member at birth. From all the fundraisers, contests, chapter meetings, and activities I attended from a young age through my active time in the organization, it’s probably safe to say that without FFA, I would not be who I am or where I am in life. FFA opened so many doors for me that I didn’t even know existed. It introduced me to competitive livestock judging, which led me to judge in college at both Hutchinson Community College and Kansas State University, and later to coach judging teams for eight years. The highlight of my FFA career was standing on the national stage as a finalist for the American Star in Agriscience with my family—a feat that both of my older sisters had accomplished as well—and thinking, Man, this was an incredible ride. Without FFA, I would still be a shy, no-name kid from nowhere, Nebraska!” – Patrick Arkfeld of Topeka, Kan.
Arkfeld is the herdsman at Sunflower Genetics and owner of Arkfeld Genetics. He was a member of Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca FFA chapter in Nebraska.
“My involvement in FFA in my youth was invaluable. I learned so much that I took for granted then, which has helped shape my career and life. From public speaking and problem solving to making connections in the agricultural industry which I still keep today, I’m incredibly thankful for my FFA experiences. I would never have become a successful swine veterinarian had it not been for my time in FFA.” – Emily Byers Taylor, DVM, of Nashville, Tenn.
Byers-Taylor is a swine technical services veterinarian for Merck Animal Health. She was a member of Jackson County Comprehensive High School FFA in Georgia. Read more about Byers-Taylor here.
“My high school FFA program served as a pétri dish for me, teaching the fundamentals of various agricultural subjects, but then fostering the opportunities to dive deeper into areas that I had particular interests. Competing in district and state FFA contests in livestock and meat judging came naturally for me, but I’ve likely gained more from the ones I had less experience in such as soil judging, plant identification and farm business management. When I’m leading a meeting at our church administrative council, I often wish I could remember more from parliamentary procedure! Overall, FFA was likely the most important program I was involved in throughout high school, and prepared me for entry into higher education and a career in agriculture.” –Hyatt Frobose of Greeley, Kan.
Frobose (center) is the USA commercial director for JYGA Tech USA, Inc. He was a member of Eastwood FFA in Ohio. Read more about Frobose here.
“The leadership foundation and network that FFA granted me the opportunity to build will never go unnoticed. It not only played a role in the educational path I took, but it also opened my eyes to career opportunities in agriculture, while connecting me to industry professionals to secure those positions.” – Breanna Lawyer of Shirley, Ind.
Lawyer is the U.S. swine marketing brand manager for Elanco Animal Health. She was a member of Eastern Hancock FFA in Indiana. Read more about Lawyer here.
“Not only did I learn mechanical skills in FFA that I still use today on my own vehicles, but more importantly I learned problem-solving skills that have helped me tremendously as I partner with producers navigating the challenges of raising pigs in my career today. Along with my dad (a dairy farmer), FFA instilled the value of stewardship in me, the realization that there is no such thing as a ‘free lunch’ (it takes blood, sweat and tears to produce food) and a sense of humble pride to be able to feed our neighbors and the world.” – Rich Deaton of Darke County, Ohio.
Deaton is a sales representative for PIC. He was a member of Tri-Village FFA in Ohio in 10th grade and Miami Valley Career Tech Center FFA in Ohio in 11th and 12th grade. Read more about Deaton here.
“I went to a very urban high school with a small FFA chapter and even less kids competing in livestock shows, especially at the national level. Despite the status quo, that dedication opened countless doors for me, allowing me to grow both personally and professionally within the livestock and agriculture industries. Through opportunities like livestock judging, competitive speaking, and other leadership experiences, I developed the skills and knowledge that have prepared me for a successful career. Without FFA, I would not have the foundation or the network that has shaped my path, and I am incredibly grateful for the impact it has had on my future.” – Cheyenne Hebert of Franklin, La.
Hebert is the manager, stakeholder communications at the National Pork Board. She was a member of Covington High School FFA in Louisiana. Read more about Hebert here.
“As a shy farm boy, taking leadership roles and speaking in public was the furthest thing from my mind. FFA was extremely valuable in planting the seeds of what it took to be a leader and spokesman for agriculture. I still remember being president of our local chapter and running our annual meeting. My father told me, “You were the only person I could hear and understand.” That’s something I appreciate to this day. Coming from a family of seven boys (all in FFA) I believe we only owned two or three blue jackets. They were just passed down from brother to brother. I remember where the name had to be monogrammed was getting pretty worn as the name had been changed several times. Practically speaking, learning Robert’s Rules of Order in FFA has been very valuable in my adult life. It surprises me to this day, the various boards I’ve set on and how few people understand parliamentary procedure. I’m grateful my initial exposure to planning, recordkeeping and analyzing of records was started with FFA. Those are skills I fall back on in my business still today.” – Patrick Bane of Arrowsmith, Ill.
Bane is the owner/general manager of Bane Family Pork Farm. He was a member of Tri Valley FFA in Illinois.
“FFA made me the person I am today. I remember my Greenhand FFA Conference my freshman year in high school. We had to write down goals we wanted to achieve in FFA and our futures and how we were going to achieve them. My career goal was to be a pig farmer, my SAE project was swine. Through my project I was able to build my confidence, travel and network with so many wonderful breeders, judges and industry professionals. My project path took me to my senior year of high school where I owned 50 purebred Hampshire, Duroc and Yorkshire sows. My passion for raising pigs in FFA took me so many places and onto college at Iowa State University and being on the livestock judging team. I still look back on how shy I was — I wouldn’t saw a word. Those pigs built my confidence and took me right to where I am today. I still have that yellow piece of paper from freshman year in 1995 and it makes me smile. Today I am a full-time pig farmer 30 years later and get to work along side my husband, our four kids on our pig farm.” – Rachelle Bailey of Turlock, Calif.
Bailey is the owner of Golden State Genetics. She was a member of Turlock FFA in California.
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