UPDATED: This is a new photo of the officer team following the resignation of one of the officers in November.

The past 20 months have been filled with ups and downs for Indiana FFA. The organization lost Rob Hays, a key adult leader, late in 2019 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 state convention was virtual, which required many adjustments for both farmers and FFA members.

The smiles on the faces of the 2021-22 Indiana FFA state officers tell a different story. They were elected at a live convention in 2021, held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds with contests at other locations, because Purdue University wasn’t yet open for large gatherings due to lingering COVID-19 restrictions. This officer team staffed the FFA Pavilion at the live 2021 Indiana State Fair. They also participated in the live 2021 Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Ill.

Things may not be quite back to normal, but they’re getting closer. And these officers, each one with his or her own experiences from the past and hopes for the future, have set goals for not only what they can accomplish as a team during the rest of their term, but also for what they can accomplish in life as individuals. Each one wants to contribute in some way to society and agriculture.

So, if the daily news has you down, turn it off. Read what these inspiring young people have to say instead. One year ago, Indiana Prairie Farmer talked about finding a light at the end of the tunnel, coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, these young FFA leaders believe they see a bright light shining ahead, illuminating the future of agriculture. Watch for their stories online later this week.