It was a big week for blue jackets and bright futures! The National FFA Organization has announced its new slate of national officers — six young leaders chosen to represent more than one million FFA members across the country. And one of them hails from right here in Michigan.
“What a surreal moment. I don’t think it’s sunk in, but man, just the emotion and excitement for this year ahead is so prevalent right now.”
Meet Lilly Nyland, newly elected National FFA Secretary from the Great Lakes State. Nyland will spend the next year traveling coast to coast, representing students who are growing the future of American agriculture — and leadership.
Nyland credits her support team for this great accomplishment. “All the state officers, past state officers in Michigan…I’m just so grateful for them and all that they have poured into me. My family at home and all my supporters from Michigan have truly made this possible for me and I just give so much thanks to them.”
Nyland joins five other national officers: President Trey Myers of Oklahoma, Eastern Region Vice President Joey Nowotny of Delaware, Western Region Vice President Jael Cruikshank of Oregon, Southern Region Vice President T. Wayne Williams of Tennessee, and Central Region Vice President Claire Woeppel of Nebraska.
Together, they’ll serve as ambassadors for agricultural education and youth leadership — speaking at conventions, visiting schools, and advocating for the future of farming and rural communities.
Nyland says her goal is to be a light to anyone that she interacts with. “I just want to be a light to them and help them realize their uniqueness and help them be authentic in that. Also to help them find their place within agriculture, food, and natural resources. I found my place within agriculture and it was kind of in an unexpected finding. I was a little bit resistant to agriculture at first because I didn’t know what careers were out there. Through my SAE I figured out all the careers that are in agriculture and so I really just want everybody to find their place because we need the authentic you in agriculture, food, and natural resources.”
For Michigan FFA members, there’s extra pride this year — knowing one of their own is helping lead the way for over a million students nationwide.
