REDMOND, Ore. — A workshop at the 2025 Oregon FFA State Convention encouraged teens to share their agriculture story, including on social media.

“Many people aren’t exposed to agriculture regularly, or at all,” said Mandy Vanderpool, an Oregon State University graduate student.

Sometimes, legislators don’t understand the scope of the ag bills they’re voting on, Vanderpool added.

People may think they’re boring and don’t have a story to tell, but the distance of the general public from agriculture means everyday life on the farm or ranch holds interest.

“Make your mess your message,” Vanderpool said, adding that telling your story can help dispel misconceptions about ag.

And there’s a receptive audience online.

“This is a good time to become an agricultural influencer, said Taylor Foerster, an assistant professor.

About the workshop

About 25 high school students attended the session, which was hosted by OSU experts in agricultural sciences and natural resources communication.

Students learned that ag communications is generally about breaking complex topics into digestible pieces for easier consumption.

As an exercise, students highlighted aspects of their lives that were important and they wanted to share, such as where food comes from, family, friends, religion, dirt bikes, hard work, honesty and the value of the FFA.

They also worked in groups to find common ground and create a shared story.

The OSU experts stressed that storytelling can help FFA chapters by generating public interest for fundraisers, and by increasing awareness of the organization to improve membership or boost community support.

Stories are impactful when people feel like they can relate, or that they have someone to root for, the OSU experts said.

Fancy Lady Cowgirl

The workshop highlighted Courtenay DeHoff, a TV host, motivational speaker, digital storyteller and founder of the brand Fancy Lady Cowgirl.

Myranda Zuber, a senior from Scio, Ore., said DeHoff was inspiring because she’s from a small town but got her voice out to the world.

“Everybody here from a small town can also do that,” Zuber said.

She plans to study ag communications and marketing at Oklahoma State University, DeHoff’s alma mater.

“She’s a huge inspiration,” Zuber said.