Kristi Krafka

 

I grew up as a very active member of the Dysart-Geneseo FFA chapter. My advisor, Irv Meier, motivated me to strive to be the best I could be. He was a phenomenal ag teacher and I am grateful for all he invested in me.

FFA provided me with so many opportunities to be active and successful. For my SAE, I raised Suffolk sheep, market hogs and interned at a national sheep magazine. Career development events were also incredibly important to me. I was involved in public speaking and livestock and food products judging. Additionally, I showed frequently at local, state and national sheep shows, winning numerous awards; the highlight that really stands out to me was winning Champion FFA Market Hog at the 1979 Iowa State Fair.

After serving as a chapter officer and northeast district secretary, I had the opportunity to serve as the Iowa FFA state reporter in 1981-1982. I also earned my Iowa Degree and capped off my FFA tenure by receiving my American Degree in 1985.

FFA taught me how to work well with others and how to build a cooperative spirit on a team. It taught me to set goals and to work really hard to achieve them. FFA also helped me to develop and utilize my technical knowledge of agriculture. While living on the family farm, I had a chance to put what I learned in the ag classroom to use on the farm every day.

I successfully translated my FFA and on-farm experiences to employment at two major Iowa agribusinesses over the past 30 years that ultimately serve the farmer and his or her suppliers. I cannot imagine working in another industry, there is so much need for assuring a wholesome, safe and high-quality food supply in the years ahead.