MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL — Seven individuals from around the state of Minnesota were honored for their commitment to agriculture and the FFA at the Minnesota FFA Alumni Conference on March 4, 2017. The conference, held in Staples, Minnesota, provided an opportunity for alumni members to network and enhance their leadership skills to enhance their leadership impact in their local communities. At this conference, the seven individuals selected for the Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame were introduced to the Minnesota FFA Alumni Association.
FFA is a youth-driven organization designed to promote agriculture and leadership. Through participating in FFA, students develop career readiness skills, gain a deeper understanding of where their food comes from and participate in a myriad ofservice-based activities to give back to their communities. It is also important to recognize that any agricultural education student is eligible to participate in FFA regardless of their demographic or degree of previous experience in agriculture. As a result of their participation in FFA, students are able to build upon their skills today so that they can positively influence lives tomorrow.
The Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have been influential and supportive of Minnesota FFA and who have demonstrated a high level of service and longstanding commitment to agriculture, agribusiness, and/or education in agriculture. A committee consisting of industry professionals, agriculture educators, Minnesota FFA state staff, and agriculture students selected the individuals, based on the criteria above, to be inducted to the Hall of Fame in April.
The inductees are:
Paul Aarsvold – Altura, MN
Blaine Larson – Battle Lake, MN
Jurgen Peters – Waseca, MN
Christa Williamson – Spicer, MN
Dave Fredrickson – St. Paul, MN
Al Withers – Menahga, MN
Doug Peterson – St. Paul, MN
The Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame was established as part of the organization’s 75th Anniversary celebration. One hundred sixty-nine individuals have been inducted since the establishment of the honor twelve years ago. The Hall of Fame an excellent opportunity to honor the men and women who, over the years, have demonstrated leadership and commitment not only to the FFA and agricultural education, but also to Minnesota’s agricultural industry.
The candidates listed above will be formally inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Minnesota State FFA Convention during the third general session on Monday, April 24.
Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame Selection criteria
Nominees should meet many, but not necessarily all, of the following criteria:
- Contributions and service the candidate has provided to agriculture/agribusiness, to education in agriculture and FFA. Consideration should be given to longevity.
- Leadership to the candidate’s profession, to agriculture, to education and to the FFA;
- Career accomplishments, honors and recognition;
- FFA leadership at the local, state, and national level;
- Leadership and support to other agriculturally related organizations and/or agencies;
- Responsibilities, leadership and/or services to non-agricultural groups and organizations;
- Participation and support of philanthropic endeavors;
- Service to and participation in activities which promote agriculture, citizenship, education and the FFA.
— Minnesota FFA Foundation
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