Pep Talk with Fuzz

Faustin Wood, 2016-17 Idaho FFA Vice-President

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my time in our organization, it’s that there is endless opportunity. How many other things in your life give you a second family, take you across the state (and country), all while forming new friendships to last a lifetime? Not very many. And on top of those things, an organization that prepares you for career and life skills.

FFA is one of the greatest ways to get ahead in life. I credit that to our countless Career Development Events in particular. Whether you’re participating in chapter, district, or state CDE’s, you’re furthering yourself in that area. When I participated in my first CDE, which was Livestock, I was more worried about placing well, than actually studying up and doing my best. Of course using that logic, my first year judging at Moscow didn’t go as I had hoped. However, I didn’t give up, but rather worked harder to insure that I gave it my all when I judged. There is no substitute for hard work. Whether that be on my potato farm or at the ag building after hours studying for a CDE. In the words of Vice Presidents everywhere, “without Labor, neither knowledge nor wisdom can accomplish much.”

As my experiences in the FFA grew, I competed in Ag Sales, Extemporaneous Public Speaking, and Agronomy. Which led to representing Idaho at National Convention competing in Ag Sales. If there was one thing I learned from competing in CDE’s it’s that you get out what you put in. If you give your very best every time you do something, you will never have to live regretting all the times you didn’t give it you’re all.

So here’s Fuzz’s advice to you. No matter what opportunity is placed before you (CDE, Leadership Conference, Activity, etc.) take it and run! Live your life knowing that when you go to bed at night (if you go to bed, unlike me…) you know you did your absolute best. In the words of Jim Elliot, “ Wherever you are, be all there.” And if you do all of that, you’ll look back at the end of your FFA career or 20 years from now, thanking yourself for taking opportunities and stepping out of your comfort zone. If that shy little potato farmer from Eastern Idaho wouldn’t have stepped out of his comfort zone and taken his first ag class, I wouldn’t be where I am today. You get out what you put in!