National FFA Week: Meet Morgan Pickett

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Being part of FFA is a family tradition, but Morgan Pickett is making a name for herself in the organization.

The Fillmore Central junior is currently serving as president of her FFA Chapter, but she also stays busy in basketball, track, and cross country. Her family’s roots keep her grounded in agriculture.

“I grew up on a hobby farm, so we showed sheep for 4-H during the summers, and in the past couple of years, we started raising chickens on our farm,” Pickett said. “We always have animals on our property, but it just changes with the seasons.”

Her grandparents raised sheep and hogs, so that was one area of agriculture passed down through family. Another was a passion for FFA.

“FFA is a really big part of our family,” Pickett said. “I have two aunts. One was a state officer when she was in high school, and one works really closely with FFA today. It was just a given that I was going to join, and I first started in seventh grade. I have no regrets.”

She credits involvement in the organization for her public speaking and skills for working with people.

“I have such great supporters with my ag teacher and my mom who helps with everything,”

Pickett participated in nearly every Career Development Event (CDE) from horses to dairy, general livestock, and poultry. One of her largest accomplishments was in the employment skills competition.

“I actually won that, so I advanced to state,” she said. “The entire competition is based on how well you interview with other people like actual employers.”

It was an extensive process that included two interviews, a phone interview, resume creation, and a job description.

The professional development opportunities uncovered in FFA help Pickett and her classmates better share the story of agriculture.

“Filmore Central is a rural school, so it is a bunch of farm kids and town kids, and the farm kids are never afraid to speak up and answer questions when kids have questions in ag class.”

Although COVID-19 impacted the school’s celebration of National FFA Week, the chapter still made time for ice cream socials Monday and Thursday. Additionally, they painted kindness rocks to leave in the community.

“COVID-19 has been really hard, and this is just reminding people to be kind,” Pickett said. “It was a big hit last year.”

Her goals for the future are to stay involved in agriculture and become an agriculture teacher under the guidance of her own instructor, Ms. Megan Brown. She has not decided on a university yet with suggestions pouring in from family and mentors to either attend the University of Minnesota in Saint Paul or South Dakota State University. In the meantime, Pickett will continue growing in FFA.

“Enjoy National FFA Week,” she said. “Thank a farmer. Thank an agriculture teacher, and just have fun.”

Throughout National FFA Week, KQ98 will feature local leaders thanks to Olson Solar Energy.