Life on the farm is something each member of the new Indiana FFA state officer team shares with the others. The seven were introduced as the 83rd state convention concluded last week, and two of them are from Putnam County, including new state president Cameron Mann.
Cameron told HAT she’s had her eye on state office since her freshman year in the Cloverdale FFA chapter.
“It’s always been something I thought would be such a unique opportunity and a once in a lifetime experience and great chance to give back to this organization,” she said. “More specifically this year I really thought about it and decided that this is definitely what I wanted to go for, and I’m just so blessed to have this opportunity and to be here today.”
She lives on the farm where the family is involved in hog and grain production, and those high school years were certainly busy.
“In high school I was very active in all the school clubs. I was in student council and I was the class president, and I was also involved at the county level with the 4-H program. And we have a Putnam County youth philanthropy committee which does some charity work and gives out grants for community service. Those are some of my favorite actitivies.”
Katherine Spencer will serve as FFA state secretary. She told HAT, “I am from the South Putnam FFA chapter in Putnam County. Cameron and I are from the same county, same district, good friends, and we’re both excited to be serving together and representing our county. I grew up on my family farm. We’re a grain production farm on both sides of my family, and that’s my farm experience. And I garden which is one of my passions.”
Get to know Cameron and Katherine and their goals for Indiana FFA this year in the HAT interview:[audio:https://www.hoosieragtoday.com//wp-content/uploads//2012/06/Cameron-and-Katherine-1st-interview.mp3|titles=Cameron and Katherine 1st interview]Rounding out the officer team are Sentinel: Brandon Bergdall from Bellmont FFA, Reporter: Shelby Riley of Hamilton County, Treasurer: Mallarie Stookie, Warsaw FFA, SR VP: Briley Fichter of Castle FFA (Warrick County) and NR VP: Marshall Perkins from Prairie Heights FFA.
Also during the convention last week the State Stars were honored. Winners were Star Farmer, Mallarie Stookey; Agricultural Placement, Katelin Schomber; Agribusiness, Chad Jones.
(Photo by Nicolette Weiler, Connersville High School)[audio:https://www.hoosieragtoday.com//wp-content/uploads//2012/06/New-Indiana-FFA-state-officers.mp3|titles=New Indiana FFA state officers]