Farm Bureau Helps FFA Member Reach National Award-Winning Goals
Having spent a large portion of her childhood at the Trempealeau County Fair, Kendra Goplin saw a need within her community. The 2021 graduate of Whitehall High School grew up with deep roots in agriculture and wanted to share her knowledge with those around her. Her desire to educate others led her to ultimately be named the National FFA Agricultural Education Proficiency Award winner on Thursday, Oct. 28.
Supported by her parents, Melinda and Shane Goplin, Kendra was presented with unique avenues to share agriculture with others. Melinda is the agriculture educator at Whitehall High School and Shane serves as the president of Trempealeau County Farm Bureau.
“I started to notice less and less people were connected to agriculture,” Kendra said. “As the daughter of an agricultural educator myself, I saw the impact she was having on her students.”
As a member of the Whitehall FFA Chapter, Kendra began a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) project as a seventh-grader in 2015. She helped teach third-graders about agriculture safety, assisted in coaching a middle school quiz bowl team and created educational displays at both the county and state fairs. She also coordinated ag literacy activities in her school district, reaching students from pre-kindergarten to sixth grade.
Eventually, Kendra’s project led her to the Trempealeau County Farm Bureau when she became the Ag in the Classroom Coordinator in the fall of 2018.
“Farm Bureau fit best with the goals of my project,” Kendra said. “Because of Farm Bureau, I have been able to educate over 2,000 students throughout Trempealeau County.”
Agricultural Proficiency Awards honor FFA members who, through SAEs, have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers. Students compete in areas ranging from agricultural communications to wildlife management. Proficiency awards are recognized at local, state and national levels and provide recognition to members exploring and becoming established in agricultural career pathways.
Kendra applied for an Agricultural Proficiency Award in the area of Agricultural Education and was recognized as Wisconsin FFA’s state runner-up in 2020. She again competed for the award this past June where she was recognized as the state winner and 2021 Wisconsin Star in Ag Placement. Winning at the state level qualified her for the National Agricultural Proficiency Award competition at the National FFA Convention & Expo held in Indianapolis, Oct. 27-30.
Kendra was ultimately named the 2021 Agricultural Education National FFA Proficiency Award winner, an award sponsored by CHS and Harris Products Group-A Lincoln Electric Company.
Kendra was humbled upon hearing the announcement.
“I have experienced many small victories each year [with my project], but nothing compared to that moment,” Kendra said. “Words cannot describe all the feelings that were running through my mind.”
Kendra encourages other students to consider making Farm Bureau a part of their SAE project.
“Farm Bureau is the voice for agriculture and the FFA is the future of agriculture. This team effort is one-of-a-kind for bringing two organizations together with a common goal of advocating for agriculture,” Kendra said. “When a Farm Bureau board finds a member who is passionate about education, there is no better team.”
Next, Kendra plans to apply for her American FFA Degree as well as for the American Star in Ag Placement award with her project. Currently pursuing a degree in agricultural education at South Dakota State University, Kendra looks forward to furthering her passion for educating others that started with the combination of FFA and Farm Bureau.
“After graduation, I hope to continue to educate the public about agriculture, whether that be in the classroom or in a supporting role,” Kendra said. “Seeing [others] get excited to learn more and more about agriculture has always been the most rewarding part of my project.”
Story by Cassie Sonnentag and originally appeared in the December|January 2021-2022 Rural Route.
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