News : V-S FFA Seniors Engage in Advocacy at Iowa FFA Legislative Symposium

VS FFA members (far left) Megan Schlitter, Alana Fleming, Juliana Luis, Carlie Clark, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, Jazmyn Dods, Izzie Birker, Brody Waters, and Andrew Pingenot met to discuss agriculture prior to the Legislative Symposium event

Derek Wulf spoke to both the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA chapter and the Benton Community FFA chapter about the latest topics in discussion at the capitol building.

Members pose on the stairs in the historical library in the capital.

By Co-Reporter Izzie Birker

On Wednesday, January 22nd, eight Vinton-Shellsburg FFA seniors took the day to visit the capitol. More than 700 high school students wearing blue corduroy from 120 schools visited the Iowa State Capitol Building in Des Moines.  

V-S FFA students visited with Representatives Thomas Gerhold and Derek Wulf, we got the opportunity to talk to them about what they do at the capital and some of the current discussions they have been in that are in progress. In the morning we were able to speak with Mike Naig about what he does as the Secretary of Agriculture and he was able to ask him questions about agriculture. 

After, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation Vice President, Brian Feldpausch gave a message about the importance young agriculturalists can play in the agriculture industry. Jake Swanson from High Yield Strategies then spoke about the importance of advocating for the agricultural industry. We then went to the capital and got the opportunity to tour the capitol. This was a great experience for our seniors to learn about some different degree or career options they might want to pursue!

The 40th Annual Iowa FFA Legislative Symposium and FFA Day at the Capitol was made possible with support from Iowa Farm Bureau Federation through the Iowa FFA Foundation.