Dating as far back as 1928, Future Farmers of America (FFA) has created an organization for anyone interested in taking on a role of leadership in agriculture all across the country. With a new branch coming to LT, sponsor and Urban Agriculture and Biology teacher Kaleigh Dolan is planning a busy future for the community organization.

“FFA club is part of the new Sustainable Urban Agriculture course at LT,” Dolan said. “This is the first year this course has run and the club partners with the class to provide additional opportunities for students outside of the classroom. The club really should be student driven and serve club members. Who better to do that than your peers?”

With themes of leadership and success for the future running strong throughout FFA’s history, students are encouraged to lead and teach each other, contrasting the traditional idea of learning only from those with more experience, Dolan said. While directing roles are present through teachers and supervisors like Dolan, positions in the club’s governing body are established only by the club’s participants. 

“Students voted and elected their peers to leadership positions,” Dolan said. “This leadership team will plan field trips, fundraisers, and professional development events focused on what the club members are most interested in.”

As part of the leadership team, club secretary Lindsey Wiemelt ‘24 helps plan extracurricular activities for the FFA club such as preparing for the Burr Ridge Community Church Family Fall Fest. 

“I hope to bring awareness of the club to the LT community, and [show] that it’s not only for people who want to be farmers,” Wiemelt said. “I choose to participate in events outside of class because of how diverse the opportunities are.”

The club provides options and creates relationships between students and their hopes for the future. Professions beyond agriculture are brought to center stage as well, such as land policy making, land management, and other environmentally centered fields. With hopes of creating a strong first year for the club, Dolan encourages students to problem solve and work together while also planting the seed for the upcoming years of the club.

“One goal I have for the club is to provide students with the opportunity to grow their professional network and become individuals leading conversations on these topics and feel confident participating in nationwide conversations,” Dolan said. “While I will assist with communications, creating connections, resources/materials, and advising, I can’t wait to see what creativity and events the leadership team puts together.”