What can young people do to ensure the sustainability of agriculture?  Two FFA students answered this essay question for GROWMARK and are being announced as winners of their state’s contest.

Trygve Lien from Castalia earns the award in the state of Iowa and Logan Korff of Norborne takes top honors in Missouri.

Lien attends school at South Winneshiek CSD where his FFA advisory is Melissa Brincks.  In his essay he wrote:

“The current population of young adults must educate themselves about modern agriculture and its impacts on others. Young adults should also educate others who are not knowledgeable on the subject so there is a universal understanding of how agriculture works. We should also work with professionals in the industry to help learn about complex topics which can often be distorted in the media.”

His submission earns him a $500 award from GROWMARK at the Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference in April.  His chapter will also receive $300 to assist future students at his school.

Korff will receive his $500 award at the Missouri FFA State Convention.  His Norborne FFA chapter, under the advisement of Kelly Lee, will accept $300 as well.

Korff told readers in his essay: “Agriculture is more than just an industry or a job. I consider agriculture to be the heartbeat of our nation; it is the number one industry for many of our states and allows our country to fend for ourselves and still have produce to be traded in the global economy… Agriculture is more important to our world than most people realize, and that is why advocating for sustainable agriculture is incredibly important.”

This is the 23rd year for the Iowa essay contest, but the 1st year the program has been sponsored in Missouri.  Wisconsin and Illinois also offer this event to FFA students in their state.