News : Former FFA Member Blooms at Disney

Intern Paul Herger takes on Carolina Reaper harvest duties at Disney’s greenhouse. He credits his FFA greenhouse experience for preparing him to handle even the spiciest crops.

Former FFA member Paul Herger shares the science behind Disney with current chapter members during a behind-the-scenes tour at The Land Pavilion.

Current greenhouse students listen closely as Paul Herger, a Disney Agricultural Sciences intern and FFA alum, discusses sustainable crop production methods used at Walt Disney World.

Paul Herger, 2023 Iowa Degree recipient and former Chapter Vice President, explains some of the plant and insect trials he gets to oversee at Disney.

By: Gabby Power, FFA Advisor

When Paul Herger first stepped foot into the school greenhouse as part of his Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), he had no idea it would grow into something much bigger-quite literally. What began as after-school hours watering geraniums, learning how to mix soil, and coordinating the chapter's plant sales evolved into a full-blown passion for horticulture that has taken him all the way to The Land Pavilion at Walt Disney World in Florida.

Now a college student studying Horticultural Science at Kirkwood Community College, Paul is spending this semester completing a highly competitive internship with Disney's Agricultural Sciences team. There, he's helping maintain the innovative greenhouses inside EPCOT, which feature cutting-edge hydroponics, aquaponics, and vertical growing systems. "It's surreal to be working here," Paul shared. "In ag class, I used to love trying new things and seeing the results of my work. Now I'm giving tours and helping with crops I never would have imagined."

His agricultural roots trace back to his time in the FFA chapter at Vinton-Shellsburg, where he served as Chapter Vice President and competed in multiple Career Development Events, including Nursery Landscape and Floriculture. His SAE projects focused on greenhouse management and vegetable production at the Old School Produce Garden. What started as a simple record book turned into a multi-year project managing seasonal plant sales, testing different irrigation methods, and mentoring younger ag students. His efforts earned him numerous accolades including his Iowa FFA Degree and a state-winning proficiency award for vegetable production. "Paul showed a unique curiosity and drive from the beginning," said his former ag teacher, Gabby Power. "He wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty and loved troubleshooting problems, whether it was fighting off aphids or adjusting the finicky temperatures."

That passion came full circle this spring when Ms. Power, along with several FFA members and parents, had the chance to visit Paul during an extended weekend vacation in March. The group toured the Disney greenhouses and saw firsthand the amazing work their former chapter member is doing. "Seeing him in that environment, talking confidently about systems, technology, and sustainable food production, was one of the proudest moments I've had as an advisor," Power said. "Our students left inspired and wide-eyed, realizing what's possible with hard work and passion."

Through FFA competitions and leadership events, Paul deepened his knowledge of plant systems and developed communication skills that now serve him well when giving educational tours to park guests. "My SAE helped me figure out that I didn't just enjoy plants, I wanted to make a career out of them," Paul said. "And now, working at Disney, I get to combine science, sustainability, and storytelling every day. It's honestly a dream come true." Will McKenna, a junior and current chapter treasurer, shared, "Paul was only a few years ahead of me, but even back then he stood out. Now that I'm taking greenhouse management this semester, it's wild to think we started in the same spot. He really proves that FFA can take you anywhere, even Disney." From a small-town greenhouse to one of the most advanced agricultural displays in the country, Paul Herger is proof that FFA opens doors and sometimes, even mouse ears!