As the agriculture industry celebrates National FFA Week, AEM caught up with CNH Industrial Vice President Danielle Waterworth to discuss the value of FFA, why and how young people should get involved, and what excites them about the future of the organization.
Led by AEM member company representatives and several association staff members, AEM established an FFA Fan Group seeks to accomplish a variety of goals aligned with the association’s support of FFA. Learn more about AEM’s FFA Fan Group.
AEM: Why do you think it’s so important for folks in our industry to be aware of FFA, its purpose and what it does to support people in the ag industry and beyond?
Waterworth: Each generation has more individuals further away from the farm and less involved with production agriculture. If you grew up in ag, you have an appreciation for what those days and nights look like, but if you did not grow up with this awareness of what it takes to produce food, fuel, and fibers, then you can’t appreciate the true importance of agriculture in the world.
FFA allows us to learn more about where our food comes from, while at the same time, growing our future leaders. These aren’t necessarily students that are returning to the farm, but they could be influencers of others for those who do. As an example, FFA is developing and growing your future farmer, agri-business salesperson, chemists, government official, banker, teachers, veterinarians and so many others with opportunities to influence the future of agriculture. These students learn valuable leadership skills that they can take into their future professions, regardless of the industry and they learn these skills in an immersive experience where they are learning while doing.
AEM: How did you get involved in FFA, and how did those experiences shape your professional and personal development?
Waterworth: I became involved in the FFA as a freshman in high school. I was successful in having held chapter and sectional offices within my state. I obtained my American Degree and fortunate enough to also have achieved Gold at Nationals with my Supervised Ag Experience Program in Specialty Animal Production. These experiences broadened my perspective and enabled me to meet others that help shape where I wanted to go as an adult in my career.
The awards, bolstered my ability to receive a National FFA Scholarship, sponsored by Case Credit (now CNH Industrial Capital), back in 1998. CNH maintained a relationship with me throughout college and that is all a part of the story of why I celebrated 20 years at CNH here this past summer. FFA taught me how to be a leader of a team and how to excel and compete, while CNH has developed me further as an individual and provided me the opportunity to flourish.
AEM: In what ways to you try to participate in FFA these days and continue to contribute to its long-term success and longevity?
Waterworth: I participate at various levels. I now sit on the National FFA Alumni & Supporters Committee as a Corporate Chapter Representative. I have held offices at the state level, having recently been on the Wisconsin State FFA Foundation, holding various positions including that of President. At a local level, I am presently the Racine site VP of our CNH Industrial FFA Alumni & Supporter Chapter, and I do give back to chapters in our area, whether that be in judging or in leadership opportunities to speak with chapters near our sites.
AEM: When it comes to young people these days in ag, everyone is looking for professional development and learn more about the opportunities available to them. With all that in mind, why do you feel it’s important for young people in ag to familiarize themselves and get involved with FFA?
Waterworth: FFA is not just confined to those involved in ag from birth, but what it does do is try to open up the eyes of others to the importance of agriculture and the industry. The ag industry is one of the largest industries in the world for graduates to be a part of today. What FFA does is provide for experiences that show students what a day in the life of professions involve. All students should appreciate how to run a business, build a marketing and sales plan, run a meeting, and give a speech. These are just a few aspects that come to mind, but these are core skills for members to achieve real-world success.
AEM: What excites you most about FFA these days? What activities, priorities, or initiatives stand out to you?
Waterworth: FFA is opening itself up to a wide range of individuals that come from various experiences in life. Personally, I’ve grown via the opportunity to learn from others. Diversity of individuals and experiences brings diversity of thought. FFA is doing the right thing by asking members to rise to the challenge of service by embracing members of all walks of life to be united through FFA.
AEM: Once young people do get involved with FFA, what from your own experiences in particular have you determined to be the key to get the most out of that experience with FFA and really make the most of that opportunity?
Waterworth: FFA encourages engagement with others. Attend a conference, participate in a competition, run for office, volunteer in your community and make connections… These are the experiences that will give youth the opportunity to grow skills to benefit their future. How exciting is it, to be a part of an organization who can honestly say they are growing the industry’s future leaders!
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