Gracie Murphy remembers growing up around her grandparents’ farm near Macomb, Ill. But even as a child with a rural background, she didn’t envision herself as one day being a part of the agriculture industry — let alone becoming the 2021-22 Illinois FFA secretary with plans to be an agriculture teacher.

But her interest in agriculture changed when she joined FFA during her freshman year at Macomb High School.

Family history didn’t drive her to join FFA, but instead, a curiosity in what the group was all about. The Macomb FFA chapter had been re-established two years before Murphy’s freshman year. Not knowing what the chapter entailed, Murphy and her peers decided to give FFA a try, she says.

And along the way, Murphy found personal development and growth.

“FFA definitely helped me find who I wanted to be,” she says. “Beforehand, I was very much a person that wanted to please everybody around me, but it [FFA] really helped me be able to turn into the person I am today and be different. That gave me an opportunity to find my values, goals — and help others, which I have grown a passion for.”

One specific FFA event became the turning point for Murphy.

“It was during Build Conference, the fall of my senior year. As a section president, I was able to be a group leader for that conference,” she explains. “I got to be in charge of a group of kids, and we went over values, goals, inspirations and a bunch of different other topics.”

A week later, those kids reached out about their recent endeavors, such as participating in various contests and running for a chapter office, Murphy adds. They said she was their inspiration to get more involved in FFA.

And right there, her FFA goals and career plans started to unfold.

“It was in that moment I realized I could help others, and I had the opportunity to help those around me. It just gave me a warm feeling in my heart,” she says with a smile.

Murphy decided to run for state FFA office and to one day become an ag teacher after she attends Southern Illinois University–Carbondale.

And for students on the fence about joining FFA, Murphy has some advice.

“Never say no. Even if you think FFA is not for you, and even if you think you won't be interested, just try it,” she says.  “You never know when you’re going to find your niche.

“You never know when you're going to find your passion, and you never know what kind of people you’re going to meet along the way.”