More Feature Articles
January 2010
-Creature-Focused Careers
-Former Members Reflect: Dr. Dwight Armstrong
-Levy Randolph
-Safety on Speed Dial
-Preserving Their Culture
-Off and Away
November 2009
-Former Members Reflect: Emilie Bocker
-Turn That Down!
-Car Smarts
-So Much Cooler Online
-Laila Hajji
-The Water Way
-A Greater Cause
June 2009
-Stretch Your Summer Income
-Riley Branch
-Turn That Down
-Behind-The-Scenes Star
May 2009
-Welcoming Women
-Regina Holliday
-Job Interview Jitters
-So Much Cooler Online
-Questioning Your College Choices?
-A Can-Do Attitude
-Former Members Reflect: Michele Payn-Knoper
April 2009
-Hannah Crossen
-Cowboy Book With a Cause
-From FFA to 33Miles
-There’s Cash in Your Future
-I’m Angry…Now What?
-For the Love of Landscaping
-Perfect Balance
-Gardening For A Cause
February 2009
-Blue-Ribbon Banjo Player
-FFA as an Art Form
-Wild About Animals
-Nessie Early
-Be a PAL
-Full Throttle
-Living to Serve
-Special Invitation
January 2009
-All About National FFA Week
-Paul Moya
-Justin Floyd
-Partners for the Planet
-Finding Balance
-Swimming in Aquaculture
-Breaking Records
-Take It Slow
December 2008
-National FFA convention to rotate homes
November 2008
-Dr. Al Snyder
-Scholarship Secrets
-Gear Up for National FFA Week
-Kari Boettcher
-Resist Peer Pressure
-Good to the Last Crop
-All Creatures, Great and Small
-Sparking Interest
September 2008
-Agriculture Accuracy
-Crissa Fruechte
-Brady Revels
-Get Up!
-Proceed With Caution
-All in Good Taste
-Clutch Performance
-Step Right Up
July 2008
-Take It to a New Level
-Deep-Rooted Interest
-Take a Deep Breath
-Tyler Tenbarge
-Inspired by FFA
-On the Right Track
May 2008
-In the Vault
-Your Money: Keeping Records
-National Officer Q&A
-We’re All Unique
-Best in Show
-Grab Life by the Reins
March 2008
-Call to Order!
-Reality Check
-Turtle Power
-By the Numbers
-Dale Darling
-A Token of Appreciation
-National Officer Q&A
January 2008
-National Officer Q&A
-Back Talk: Paul McCutchan
-Building Bright Futures
November 2007
-National Officer Q&A
-Back Talk: Corey Flournoy
-Biofuels Mean Business
-Go, Team, Go
-A Tractor Tradition
October 2007
-National Officer Q&A
-Back Talk: Kristie VerMulm
-Give them an A+
-Cranberry Crazy
-Racing to Indy
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Crissa Fruechte
FFA alumna learns the value of an internship
Crissa Fruechte tests a field of corn during her summer internship.
September 2008
While an FFA member at South Dakota’s Webster High School, Crissa Zenk Fruechte found a career interest in agronomy. For her supervised agricultural experience program (SAE), Fruechte owned and operated her own grass, forb, corn and soybean dealership. On a competitive level, she enjoyed a seventh-place finish in the National FFA Agronomy Career Development Event.
As a student at South Dakota State University, she soon realized that education wasn’t enough. In 2006 and 2007, she interned at Monsanto, where she conducted grower visits and interviews to determine customer satisfaction. Because of her internships, Fruechte is now a local field advisor associate for Monsanto, building relationships with farmers and helping them decide what crops to plant.
Q How does your new job relate to your FFA SAE?
A I definitely feel that my SAE sparked an interest in agronomy and agribusiness. My SAE focused on building relationships. In order to make a sale, I needed to have trust and empathy with the local farmers. The relationship-building skills that I learned through FFA are directly related to my career today. It’s again my turn to “be there” for the farmer.
Q Why do you think it’s important for FFA members to gain career experience?
A When you’re looking at your résumé, the education section is only one line. The majority of your résumé is filled with leadership and work experience. That’s why it’s very important to start building your résumé early, even in high school.
Q How have your FFA experiences translated into your career?
A FFA has been a great foundation for beginning my career. It opened my eyes to the global agriculture market and importance of relocating to get a broader experience. Yes, moving away from home is often necessary for the best opportunities! I’m very fortunate that Monsanto appreciates what I have gained from my experiences with FFA. It’s a perfect fit.
Web Extra
Q
Do you have any tips for FFA members who might be interviewing for summer positions?
A
First impressions are very crucial. Look your best, speak clearly and have a firm handshake. Those are definitely “must do’s” in my book. Don’t forget about your résumé. It also needs to be eye appealing, well structured and clean. I also think it’s equally important to know something about the company you’re interviewing with. Check out their website and do some research.
Q
What college activities do you think prepared you for a career in agriculture?
A
A personal passion for agriculture is first needed. Then join any team environment that challenges you to develop professionally and personally. I’ve enjoyed my experiences with Sigma Alpha Professional Agriculture Sorority, my university’s Little International Ag Exposition, Agriculture Future of America (AFA) and I’ve served as an ambassador for the College of Agriculture and Biological Science. There are so many more organizations to choose from on any campus; the key is to pick some you like and get involved!
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