Shaped by FFA, a little gold card, and Dad
By: Bayer Us
Tags: Farmers, Agriculture, Farming, Farm, Ag

By Tami Craig Schilling, North America Knowledge Transfer Lead, Crop Science, Bayer U.S.

As we celebrate National FFA Week, Feb. 22–29, today has a special designation: FFA Alumni Day. In honor of Alumni Day, I would like to share my story about what FFA has meant to me.

Going back to 1981, I did not exactly jump at the chance to sign up for agriculture class and FFA in high school. Yet, it is no exaggeration to say the organization set the direction for my life. Almost 40 years later, I am still involved. So, what is it about the FFA that compels me (and more than 450,000 alumni) to continue to support its students and programs?

First a little bit about FFA and my initiation into it…

The letters FFA originally stood for Future Farmers of America. The name has since been updated to National FFA Organization to reflect the growing diversity and opportunities in the ag industry. FFA offers hands-on experiences, primarily for high school youth, teaching leadership skills and helping students develop their talents and explore their interests in a broad range of agricultural career pathways.

Raised on a livestock farm in Clay City, Illinois, by the time I was in junior high I was dreaming of a future in cheerleading and student council, not agriculture. But my parents had other ideas. One afternoon, getting off the school bus, I was cornered by my parents, who made it clear I had to give ag a try.

“You’re going to be in ag class and join FFA your freshman year whether you like it or not,” my dad said. “And at the end of the year, I’ll let you decide. If you don’t want to be in ag, you don’t have to be in ag. But for a year you’re going to try it. And we are not going to discuss it any further.”

With that, he walked out, having forever changed the course of my life. I took ag, joined FFA and never looked back. I still got to be a cheerleader and student council member, but nothing prepared me for life and a career like the FFA.

Having a plan

FFA taught me how to develop a plan, then provided me opportunities to reach my goals. At the start of every year, each “FFAer” was given a blue or gold card to write down individual goals for both the coming year and the next five years.

The cards taught me how to set goals, stay focused and invest the time to do what really mattered to me. Those cards, along with the leadership conferences, skills contests, and exposure to new places and people made the difference for me. It was a slow and steady process that was life-changing. Today, I still have all four of my blue and gold cards.

Speaking of new opportunities …

FFA taught me about leadership. My senior year of high school, I served as FFA Section President, responsible for a region of about 15 schools where I worked with the ag programs and gained real life experience being a leader.

I campaigned and was elected Illinois State Vice President, delaying my first year of college to travel throughout the state of Illinois representing FFA; visiting schools; meeting with legislators, ag leaders, ag teachers; delivering workshops and speeches throughout the state; and working on a Governor’s task force for a proposed Ag Academy. An unbelievable experience!

My college choice was also influenced by FFA. At the Illinois FFA Convention, I met recruiters from the University of Illinois who introduced to me to Ag Communications as a possible major. Three years later, I found myself majoring in it. If it had not been for the FFA, I would not have known Ag Communications even existed, and I wouldn’t be working as a Knowledge Transfer Lead for Bayer’s Crop Science division today.

Tami receives her American Farmer degree, the highest honor awarded to FFA members, from National FFA President Kevin Eblen. Tami and Kevin went on to become colleagues, working together at Bayer.

A future in ag

FFA gave me life-long connections. In the ag industry, it’s not uncommon to meet another professional and discover you attended a convention together or were state officers the same year. In 1985, at state officer events, I met Matthew Kirkpatrick, FFA State President in Indiana; Anthony Osborne, State President from Kentucky; and Kevin Eblen, State President from Iowa, all of whom became colleagues at Bayer.

Kevin has since passed away, but Matthew, Anthony and I continue to work together. When I say work together, I mean closely — we literally are in meetings together on a regular basis. So, every day, I get to think about how the FFA put me on a path to a great college experience, a strong network of colleagues, and a successful career. The network and skills I’ve developed through FFA continually confirm my dad knew what he was doing when he “forced me to try it for a year.”

Tami and her son, Lane Schilling, who served as Section FFA President. At the 2019 Illinois FFA Convention, parents of Section Presidents were recognized.

A family tradition

I now am reliving my FFA experience, as my son recently served as Section FFA President. He is a third generation FFAer, following in my footsteps and my father’s. My dad was FFA Chapter President in his community and built his livestock career based on his years in ag class.

That’s another cool thing about FFA and its impact. Membership tends to run in families. Both of my uncles, my brother, husband, two nieces and four cousins have all been in FFA.

The FFA connection stays with you for a lifetime. My dad was so appreciative of FFA that when my parents started their livestock business, they immediately connected with the local FFA chapter, judging at contests, working at fundraisers and advancing ag education. Years before I joined FFA, my parents were awarded the Honorary FFA degree from the Clay City FFA. For many years during National FFA Week, my dad hosted a petting zoo for the local school, giving kids an opportunity to interact with FFAers and farm animals.

Even after my brother and I graduated, my parents were still hosting school kids at the farm to see the sheep, pigs, cattle, horses, donkeys, rabbits, ducks, etc. My mom would fix snacks for the kids — because that’s what you do — and because this organization has meant so much to our family.

I’ve followed in their footsteps, jumping in to support FFA opportunities when they appear. I have reviewed ag curriculums, judged contests, served as a speaker at more events than I can count, conducted workshops, testified in support of ag education, served on alumni state board, raised funds, hosted ag students at work, and more.

I feel it’s my responsibility to pick up the charge and invest in kids the way adults invested in me when I was young. Plus, being around FFA students energizes me — they are positive; they have goals; and they are making a difference.

The FFA blue jacket, part of the official uniform for FFA students, has special meaning for me. I keep mine in my office at work as a reminder of where I came from and of my commitment to continue to support FFA. I can never pay it forward enough for the start FFA gave me and the direction my life has taken because of FFA. That is why nearly four decades later I am proud to be an FFA alumna and am forever grateful to my parents for “forcing me” to be in FFA.