Sarah Draper of Brigham City, Utah, an agricultural education major at Utah State University, recently was chosen to serve as western region vice president in the National FFA organization.

The organization’s new leadership team was elected during the 88th National FFA Convention & Expo in Louisville, KY, in late October. Each year at the convention six students are elected by delegates to represent the organization as National FFA officers. Delegates elect a president, secretary and vice presidents representing the central, southern, eastern and western regions of the country.

“It was a whirlwind of interviews, tests, and mock presentations with forty other candidates from across the nation,” said Draper. “After a forty-year drought of National FFA officers from Utah, I am the first female national officer from our state. As a National FFA Officer I will be crisscrossing the country giving keynotes, promoting agricultural education, attending conventions and conferences, addressing sponsors and stakeholders all the while encouraging students to amplify their experience in FFA.”

The National FFA organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education. National officers commit to a year of service to the National FFA organization. Each travels more than 100,000 national and international miles to interact with business and industry leaders, thousands of FFA members and teachers, corporate sponsors, government and education officials, state FFA leaders, the general public and more.

“From conferences and competitions to trainings and experiential learning, the FFA prepares students for careers in and out of agriculture and strengthens communities through promoting a service oriented attitude,” Draper said.

Draper first began her blue and gold journey as a freshman at Box Elder High School in an agricultural science class.

“Coming from a non-agricultural background, FFA opened many doors for me and grew my passion for agriculture,” she said. “I cherish the relationships I made and skills I developed as I participated in chapter, state activities, and leadership positions.”

Brian Warnick, associate dean of academic programs & student services, in the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences said, “I first met Sarah when she was a student at Box Elder High School and I have been very impressed with her dedication and her passion for agriculture and agricultural education. She is an outstanding representative of the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, of Utah State University, and of the State of Utah. We are very pleased that she has been selected as a National FFA officer.”

“FFA taught me how vital the agricultural industry is to our economy and way of life. Whenever or wherever there are people, they must have food,” Draper

Related Links
Herald Journal - USU Student is First Female National FFA Officer from Utah

By Shelby Ruud, shebly.ruud@usu.edu

Photo by John Zsiray, Herald Journal