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Big Valley FFA members receive jackets

LEWISTOWN — Working in agriculture is the only life that Miley Kohler has ever known. So, when Kohler, a sophomore at Mifflin County High School, became old enough, she signed up to join the Big Valley FFA chapter.

Kohler hopes FFA will enable her to teach others about the importance of the agriculture industry. She explained, “I joined FFA because of the legacy I can leave behind, like helping other people in the world and showing them things they probably never knew about agriculture.”

She was one of eight first-year Big Valley FFA members to receive their very own FFA jacket at the Pennsylvania FFA Mid-Winter Convention at this year’s Farm Show in Harrisburg on Monday, Jan. 6.

Kohler, who has grown up in Mifflin County 4-H and been around agriculture for much of her life, was the only one of the eight first-year members to show a lamb at this year’s Farm Show.

“Receiving an FFA jacket of their own officially marks the beginning of their journey within the National FFA Organization and serves as a symbol of unity and pride among PA FFA’s 15,000-plus members,” said Nicolette Cusate, an agricultural science instructor at the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology and Big Valley FFA advisor.

Big Valley FFA members had to complete an application to be matched with a local sponsor to earn their FFA jacket by answering three questions.

Members described their interest in agricultural education, explained the goals that they want to achieve throughout their time in FFA and described what the jacket means to them.

Abbie Fitzgerald, a sophomore who also recently received her jacket, said, “I joined FFA because I have always been interested in agriculture as a whole and all the experiences and opportunities that FFA can lead to.”

Lillian Seaholtz, another sophomore, became involved with FFA for similar reasons, stating, “I joined FFA to start a new chapter in my life and to grow as a person.”

Sophomore Sebastian Kauffman added, “I joined FFA to enlighten myself about the agricultural world of the U.S.A.”

Junior Nathan McCahren’s family has worked in the agriculture industry for many years, so he understands the importance of FFA. “I come from a long line of farmers and I plan on carrying that with me into adulthood,” McCahren explained.

Sophomore Taylor Rhoades hopes to improve her leadership skills through FFA and “to further educate myself on the agriculture industry.”

Sophomore Lily Goss saw the value in FFA’s role in this rural area “to learn about the opportunities that the agricultural industry offers.”

And junior Aubrey Smith believes FFA can help her secure a more successful future, as she said, “I joined FFA because of all of the opportunities to grow my knowledge and to learn more about jobs in the agriculture industry.”

Cusate hopes the future of agriculture remains bright with a new group of members joining the FFA ranks. The support of the community also plays a vital role, too.

“Big Valley FFA would like to thank their local jacket sponsors for their generosity and providing their FFA members with one of the most cherished traditions the National FFA Organization has to offer,” Cusate added.

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