SPOKANE — If you are creative, enjoy the visual arts, love detail work, are good with numbers or enjoy talking with people, agriculture has a job for you.

That was the message delivered to about 1,000 Washington FFA members during the Feb. 8 career panel at the Spokane Ag Show.

Panelists were:

• Julia Dondero, a Western sports journalist and senior at University of Idaho.

• Kait Thornton, social media influencer and fourth-generation fruit grower near Tonasket, Wash.

• Ian Loe, producer and videographer at North by Northwest.

• Christopher Voigt, agriculture communications manager at KR Creative Strategies.

Kara Rowe, CEO of KR Creative Strategies and a “farm kid from Creston, Wash.,” moderated the panel.

Rowe recommended students take a communications class no matter what school they attend, from high school to trade school to community college to university.

“Whether you end up being an accountant, a doctor, a field guy for Syngenta who rides around and checks on fields or a dairy farmer, everybody communicates every day,” Rowe said.

Telling the storyThornton’s family orchard went through financial setbacks during COVID-19. They couldn’t get agricultural lenders to visit the farm.

“My dad’s a old farmer — he had a flip phone up until like five years ago,” Thornton said.

She started putting together presentations about the farm and the company culture.

“If you don’t know anything about agriculture, if you look at numbers or a balance sheet, it does not make sense,” Thornton said. “But if you look at our land, our people, that’s how it makes sense and that’s how you get someone to believe in funding you.”

Classes to takeShe advised FFA members to take business classes, such as accounting and business law.

“I just spent two hours at the bank yesterday because I was forming a bank account for an LLC (limited liability company),” she said. “Pay attention in those classes, it’s not just about memorizing different terms. You can apply those skills.”

Loe talked about learning to shoot photos using YouTube videos and classes on the subject.

“I encourage you to think outside of the classroom, as well as inside of the classroom,” he said. “Inside of the classroom, you’re going to get a lot of great advice from people who know what they’re talking about. But outside of the classroom is the only place you’re going to find your specific interests.”

Reach outDondero admitted to occasionally being nervous speaking to more experienced people at work.

“You can’t be afraid to put yourself out there,” she said. “It doesn’t hurt to reach out. Everyone’s super friendly in this industry. The worst they can do is say no or not respond to your emails.”

Voigt recommended finding a mentor.

“With FFA, you guys have great teachers, you guys have mentors already, and all the people that come speak in class,” he said. “Agriculture supports agriculture – I don’t think there’s anyone in ag who would say no to helping you out.”

“Take what these guys are saying to heart,” Rowe said. “If you have anybody who is willing to mentor and be that partner to you, willing to help you … take advantage of that opportunity. Do not let it go to waste.”

”Washington Grown” FFA social media challenge contest rules

“Washington Grown” FFA social media challenge contest rules

1. One entry per person/group (can be as many people as you want)

2. Video must highlight one of Washington’s specialty crops or a career in agriculture.

3. Must teach the audience something.

4. 30 seconds or less in length.

5. FFA advisor or parent permission.

Deadline: Feb. 22, 2024

The “Washington Grown TV show will then review and showcase videos on its social media channel.

Winner receives a $250 donation to their FFA club.

Send submissions to chris@krcreativestrategies.com