By Blake Jackson
In July 2024, a Kentucky student joined the FFA in the USA program as one of over 130 national reporters. What started as a writing opportunity quickly evolved into a meaningful project focused on celebrating the achievements of Kentucky FFA members.
The reporter began creating spotlight pages featuring four FFA members each month. These spotlights went beyond covering their Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs)—they highlighted each member’s leadership roles, awards, and service in local communities. These pages were shared on social media to bring attention to the outstanding work being done across Kentucky FFA chapters.
As the project gained attention, other Kentucky agricultural organizations, like the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, asked to be featured. Over ten months, 45 spotlight pages were created, including special themed editions that showcased seasonal work and recognized fellow reporters.
In May 2025, the project reached a new milestone. A video was posted explaining the launch of the Kentucky FFA in the USA Member of the Year initiative. Kentucky members were invited to vote for the most inspiring spotlight stories. Winners were honored by the student reporter and the Kentucky FFA state president, bringing the spotlight project full circle.
The goal was to unite the Kentucky FFA community by showcasing its most active and inspiring members. What began as a personal project has now become a proud tradition that future Kentucky reporters plan to continue.
This student-led initiative has strengthened Kentucky FFA by celebrating leadership and service, inspiring pride among members and recognizing their valuable contributions to agriculture.
Photo Credit: kentucky-ffa
Categories: Kentucky, Business