MCKIE
LOOKING FORWARD TO NATIONAL FFA ROLE
Joel McKie, a
sophomore agri-business major at
“At an early age, I
became interested in agriculture and agriculture related careers and leadership
roles,” McKie, the son of Eddie and Kay O. McKie, said. “In high school, I was able to explore these
interests in greater depth when I became involved in FFA. My participation in
FFA helped build the foundation for my future.”
During his junior year
of high school, McKie served as chapter FFA
president. Then, he served at the regional level as the area vice president for
is also a member of the Wilcox County FFA Chapter.
“Being
actively involved in FFA gave me the opportunity to develop my public speaking
and leadership skills and meet many influential people,” McKie
said. “It also gave me an opportunity to learn about agriculture education and
various careers related to agriculture. FFA is like a big family, and I enjoy
the camaraderie I share with the other members of this family.”
When McKie came to
ABAC in 2001, he continued his participation in FFA at the collegiate level and
also became involved in several other activities, including the ABAC
Ambassadors, the Student Government Association (SGA), the Baptist Student
Union (BSU), and the Honors Program. McKie’s
continued interest in FFA led him to seek an elected position within the
National FFA Organization. He began this process in May 2002 and was elected
southern region vice president in early November.
According to the
National FFA Organization, while in office McKie will
travel more than 100,000 miles, meet with top leaders in business and
industry, visit approximately 40 states, and participate in an international
agricultural experience tour to
McKie said he feels honored and humbled to serve FFA
members.
“I
want to have a positive impact and help young people find their own passion for
agricultural leadership within the industry,” McKie
said. “One of the most exciting experiences for me is to see an FFA member
smile because his or her life has been positively affected by FFA. I would like
to find a unique way of serving FFA members in an effort to help them carve
their own path on their journey to becoming agricultural leaders.”
In
the spring of 2004, McKie plans to receive his
Associate of Science degree in Agriculture from ABAC. Then, he will attend the University of Georgia (UGA) and obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in
Agriculture with an emphasis in agri-business. He also wants to attend UGA’s
FFA is a national
youth organization of 461,043 student members preparing for leadership and
careers in the science, business, and technology of agriculture with 7,308 local
chapters in all 50 states,
# #
#