Jordyn Wickard and Madisen Carns are on a small board representing the FFA to the entire state and often speak to high school students.
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Editor’s note: The Daily Reporter is featuring Hancock County’s farming community each month with resources for local residents and highlights of the people and places that make our community unique. Here, in honor of Future Farmers of America Week, we check back in with Jordyn Wickard and Madisen Carns, who are serving as treasurer and sentinel respectively on the Indiana FFA Board. Board members take a “gap year” between high school and college to live at the FFA Leadership Center grounds in Trafalgar and educate local students, the state legislature and industry leaders about the FFA. It’s rare that Hancock County would have two members on the small board. Wickard, 19, is an Eastern Hancock High School graduate and Carns, 19, is a Mt. Vernon High School graduate.
Carns
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Wickard
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Daily Reporter: Why did you want to take a year to serve as an ambassador for Indiana FFA?
Jordyn Wickard: I decided to become a state FFA officer to spread positivity, light and laughter across this great state. I believe everyone deserves to be happy in life, and sometimes we can get carried away with our busy lives. It is my job this year to make others crack a smile, make people laugh, and allow humans to feel loved, valued and appreciated.
Madisen Carns: I want to give a home to students who are still trying to find themselves. I know that I did not come from an ag background but found a place in an agricultural organization. It is showing members that they are welcome here that brings me joy.
DR: What is your daily routine like?
JW: Every day looks a little different, which can range from visiting a chapter in Indiana, working in our office on “behind the scenes” items for events to happen, or on the road with the Indiana FFA State Staff, traveling to an event to impact others.
MC: Our daily routine differs most days but it usually includes some office work and then interacting in either classrooms or professional settings.
DR: Do you miss not choosing a traditional college experience after graduating high school?
JW: In terms of taking a gap year, I do not regret my decision at all. The things I have learned, people I have impacted and friendships I have made will outweigh any negative thoughts that pertain to taking a year off from college. I will forever be grateful for the experiences, leadership opportunities and connections I have made serving the Indiana FFA Organization and its members.
MC: I sometimes miss not being able to have that experience with my friends. However, I would not trade this opportunity for the world because of how much it has taught me.
DR: What is this year teaching you?
JW: I have learned an infinite amount of life skills, such as adaptability, flexibility, multitasking, how to interact with different groups of people, and getting a slight glimpse of what life looks like after I graduate college in terms of workload and balance.
MC: It taught me a lot of skills. I was not confident at public speaking, audio/visual equipment, and other small work skills. It also taught me to not speed through life because the best moments are the small little memories you make with the people around you. Those people can teach you a lot of things themselves.
DR: What are your plans for the future?
JW: In the fall of 2022, I plan to attend Purdue University and major in agricultural communications. Growing up and living on my homesteaded Angus cattle family farm, agriculture runs deep in my roots, and I have developed a passion for speaking about this industry that has formed me into the young woman I am today. After graduation, I hope to work for an agriculture company, speaking on behalf of what the business represents, or becoming an agriculture industry influencer, traveling and speaking about the western lifestyle and what it represents.
MC: My plans have changed since the beginning of my term to majoring in agricultural communications and economics with a possible minor in Spanish at Purdue University. I want to share the stories of agriculturists that are so important for communities to hear. I want to bring in more awareness for the agriculture industry for those who may not be aware of all it encompasses.
