HONESDALE, PA — The Future Farmers of America (FFA) is a national organization that helps promote and support agriculture education. As an FFA member, you learn about responsibility; you learn how to work as a team; you learn qualities that will help you as a person and as a future agriculturalist. 

This year the Honesdale FFA has been off to a great start. We have already accomplished the Honesdale Hornet Homecoming Tailgate and a fall decor sale, and we are currently working on a fruit sale fundraiser. 

This year we have 49 members.  Through the Pennsylvania FFA Jacket Scholarship program, 21 members will be getting their first blue jacket this year.

Our sponsors for our blue jackets this year are the Wayne-Pike Farm Bureau, G5 Insurance, Pleasant Valley Grange, the Modrovsky family, Joyce and Bill Carson, Robinson Family Farm and Wayne County Grown. 

At the 98th National FFA Convention, Carley Fries was awarded the American FFA degree. The American FFA Degree is the highest degree an FFA member can achieve—it’s only awarded to 1 percent of FFA members.  Carley received the American Degree by earning and investing $7,500 in her agriculture-related work experiences and having four years of agricultural education coursework. She also had 50 hours of community service and demonstrated leadership skills. 

We asked Carley a couple questions. We asked what her favorite part about her FFA career was.

Carley said, “My favorite part of my FFA career was the opportunity to learn more about the agriculture industry, as well as being able to compete in FFA competitions and traveling with FFA.” 

We then asked her what it meant to her to receive her American degree.

“Receiving my American degree was a lifelong goal of mine,” Carley said. “Having grown up in the dairy farming industry, FFA has always held a special place in my heart. To me, the degree shows my hard work and dedication to FFA.” 

We asked what she was planning on doing with her career. “As far as a career for me personally: I will be continuing my passion and plan to work in an agricultural-related field.” 

And for the final question, we asked who were her role models.

She said, “My parents have been my role models since I was a little girl, consistently supporting every decision I made. They are the reason for the drive and passion I have towards the FFA.” 

Congratulations Carley, as you are a huge part of FFA and you will be able to show new FFA members that you can accomplish anything that you love and put your mind toward!