Published 5:19 pm Saturday, March 22, 2025
REDMOND, Ore. — Staci Simonich, dean of the Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences, told thousands of FFA students that that state’s farming and ranching industries needed their energy, ideas and leadership.
“Agriculture isn’t just producing food, fiber and fuel. It’s about leadership, it’s about innovation, and, of course, it’s about resilience. It’s about lighting the way toward a strong future for all of us,” she said.
Simonich was the featured speaker the night of March 21 during the 97th annual Oregon FFA State Convention.
The theme of this year’s event was “Light the Way.”
The convention opened March 20 and continues through March 23 at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center.
Oregon FFA has roughly 15,500 members and about 120 chapters.
Simonich said OSU stressed hands-on learning, research and real world experiences so students could develop the skills and confidence necessary to succeed.
“We know that learning extends well beyond classroom walls. It’s about rolling up your sleeves, getting out in the field and experiencing the work first-hand,” Simonich said.
She noted that many students were already raising livestock, managing crops or leading community projects through FFA.
“You are building the skills that will carry you forward throughout your careers and your lives,” Simonich said.
The leader of OSU’s ag college also urged FFA students to embrace the lessons and experiences that shaped them. “Stay true to your values,” Simonich added.
Before the evening session, Kyra Light, president of the Days Creek FFA chapter, said she was looking forward to hearing Simonich speak, as well as an OSU workshop on Saturday morning featuring ag college students from Corvallis, Ore., and La Grande, Ore.
The high school senior plans on attending OSU next school year and wants to become a large animal veterinarian.
“I have horses and I deal with pigs and cows. I would love to work with livestock like that,” she said. “There’s no other career I would rather have.”
FFA degrees were given to 319 students during the March 21 evening session, as well as other awards.
Henry Bennett of Sandy, Ore., won the prepared public speaking competition and talked about the importance of the “Beagle Brigade.”
The “superhero” team of USDA worker dogs and their handlers do inspections at airports and ports of entry, helping to protect American agriculture from pests and diseases such as African swine flu.
The star in agricultural placement award went to Jayda Cant of Imbler, Ore., who has an extensive unpaid placement supervised agricultural experience with 3H Cattle Ranch.
Her responsibilities have included everything from repairing fencing to helping with calving to administering vaccinations and leading genetic testing processes.
The star farmer was Ila Richardson of the Eagle Point, Ore., FFA chapter, who is raising a smaller number of high-quality show cattle.
