SDSU Student Wyatt DeJong Elected as National FFA Officer

Pierre, S.D. – Wyatt DeJong, an Agriculture Education student at South Dakota State University and the 2009 South Dakota FFA Association’s state secretary, has been elected as the 2010 – 2011 National FFA Central Region Vice-President. He is one of only four South Dakotans ever to be elected as a National FFA Officer.

DeJong will serve as one of six officers from around the nation, promoting agriculture, providing personal growth and leadership training for students and helping set policies that shape the future of the organization. He was elected at the 83^rd National FFA Convention, held last week in Indianapolis.

Over the next year the former Winner High School FFA Chapter member will travel more than 100,000 miles; meet top leaders in business, government and education; visit 40 states; and participate in an international goodwill tour to Japan.

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of over 500,000 student members representing more than 7,400 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The national FFA officer selection process is intense. Nominees must first qualify on the state level to represent their particular state FFA associations. They then submit an application which details their accomplishments and contributions to the community, along with an essay explaining their desire to be elected to national office.

Once at the convention, candidates participate in five rounds of interviews, take an in-depth written test on the organization and agricultural education topics and complete two writing exercises. A nine-member nominating committee proposes a slate of candidates to fill the six offices, which is voted on by the delegate body at the National FFA Convention.

The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a Federal Charter granted by the 81^st United States Congress, and is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs.

Agriculture is South Dakota's No. 1 industry, generating more than $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 173,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov/ or follow us on Facebook.

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*DeJong [DEE-Yung]

SDSU Student Wyatt DeJong Elected as National FFA Officer

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SDSU Student Wyatt DeJong Elected as National FFA Officer