News : Igniting Futures: A Day of Inspiration at the Greenhand Fire Up Conference!

Pictured to the left: Northeast District officers Alana Fleming and Andrew Pingenot pose with Freshman FFA members included Jonah Myer, Gavin Sanders, Cole Birker, Brock Hoppenjan, Aiden Trachta, Jameson Demuth, Nash Davis, Lily Hesson, Alex Hugh, Olivia Port, Abby McKenna, Maddie Bunten, Nora Grovert, Jenna Grovert, Zoey McClintock, and Katelyn Fleming.

By: Co: Reporter, Sophia Newton

Each year, Northeast District and Iowa FFA officers plan and facilitate the Greenhand Fire Up Conferences for FFA members in the Northeast District. Waverly welcomed FFA chapters from all over the Northeast District on Monday, September 30, 2024. During the event, District and State Officers led four interactive workshops for first-year high school FFA members, also known as Greenhands. These workshops were leadership-focused, emphasizing the experiences that beginning high school students encounter.

Iowa FFA President Collin Bauer stated, "Greenhand Fire Up provides a chance for first-year high school members to get a sneak peek at the opportunities that FFA holds and is a conference for members to meet and interact with State and District Officers."

The officers prepared and facilitated workshops on authenticity, balancing priorities, communication, and FFA opportunities, aiming to equip first-year FFA members with skills they would use both within and outside of FFA. The goal was to engage FFA members in learning about the tools that would help them succeed in high school and beyond.

Greenhand Fire Up is made possible with support from the Iowa FFA Foundation.