For two weeks, 75 current and past state FFA officers started the new year by exploring Australia and the various types of agriculture the country offers.
“From the iconic city of Sydney to the stunning coastlines, the group traveled through Canberra, Griffith, Echuca, Geelong, and Melbourne, immersing themselves in the vibrant culture and rich agricultural heritage of Australia,” the National FFA Organization said on Facebook.
It was part of the International Leadership Seminar for State Officers (ILSSO), supported by FFA corporate donors Bungee and John Deere.
After visiting Sydney, students traveled to Canberra, where they visited with the counselor for agricultural affairs, agricultural specialists, and agricultural marketing specialists based at the U.S. Embassy, a representative from the National Farmers’ Federation, and a representative from the Australian Rural Leadership Program.
Attendees visited perennial pastures, Reiland Angus, and more. While visiting the Darlington Point District, they explored one of Australia’s most productive farmland, where rice and other cereal crops, fruits and vegetables, grapes, and citrus are grown. Students also visited Australia’s only independent agricultural college — Marcus Oldham College.
Finally, they wrapped up their journey in Melbourne, exploring the city and visiting the Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary.
ILSSO immerses participants in the culture of the country they are visiting while facilitating learning opportunities while the students are there. Throughout the trip, they had opportunities to demonstrate foundational knowledge of global values and diversity while forming empathy and awareness of domestic and global conditions. Those who attended the trip also did pre-work to prepare for the experience.
Students who participate in the trip are:
Alabama: Jayden McMillian and Rachel Perry
Arkansas: Riley Swofford and Reese Mitchell
Colorado: Natali Boerner
Connecticut: Matthew Syrotiak
Delaware: Noah Dixon, Kyle Gares, Andrew Nowotny, and Anya Phillips
Florida: Makenleigh Bledsoe, Mackenzie Cunningham, Kayelee Ehrisman, Jenna Larson
Iowa: Collin Bauer, Lauren Beyer, Josephine Kelly, Annabelle Newton, Holly Schmitt
Idaho: Hallye Duckett, Delainee Ellsworth, Josiah Knapp, Kamille Mirkin, and Clayton Moore
Illinois: Haley Bode
Indiana: Mary Jones
Kansas: Kai Cox, Karli Neher, Cecilia Newby, Sage Toews
Kentucky: Casey Montgomery
Louisiana: Abbygail Davis
Maryland: Brandon Boyer, Abby Dinterman, Hope Mullins, and Hailey Ogg
Michigan: Lillian Houtteman, Dakota Spink
Minnesota: Noah Erickson
Montana: Haley Rigler
Nebraska: Paige Bunn, Bethany Nichols, Abby Hodges, Thomas Perrin
North Carolina: Madeline Kluttz, Belle Merlo
New Jersey: Maisie Shimko
New York: Courtney Taibi, Ella Underberg
Ohio: Chloee Howardl, Luke Jennings, Katelyn Kinsella, Anna Moeller, Kaydence Morris, Lauren Thornhill, Emma Wells
Oregon: Jael Cruikshank, Ryan Mizee, Kylie Temple, and Mary Thiel
Tennessee: Lillie Cagle
Virginia: Adam Hawkins, Anne Martz, Kirin Miller, Liberti Sell, Jadyn Smith, Grace Walbroehl, Kelcey Weston, Nathan Zerkel
Washington: Nathan Heay, Kyia Hunter-Kanoff, and Andrew Schulz
West Virginia: Garret Ammons and Coleen Mitchell
Wyoming: Larkin Williams
»Related: Celebrating National FFA Week 2024 and some ways to support it