Josh Stutrud (left) smiles with his wife, Morgan (right), and son, Stelle (center), in a wheat field before harvest last fall. Photo courtesy of Josh Stutrud.
For Josh Stutrud of Barton N.D., it’s hard to imagine farming without his FFA background. Stutrud’s father was an agriculture teacher and farmer who displayed the importance of the organization through his Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE).
“I got to be involved in decisions about inputs, lending and equipment from a young age because my dad wanted me to feel more comfortable with those conversations as I got older,” Stutrud says.
For his SAE, Stutrud rented 160 acres from an out-of-state landlord. “My landlord said when he was a kid, he wanted to have an SAE project, but his parents didn’t let him,” he adds. “Instead, he paid it forward and gave me that opportunity.”
Stutrud’s success landed him as an American Star Farmer finalist in 2014, and participating in FFA crops judging competitions helped spark his interest in agronomy. He later graduated from North Dakota State University with a crop and weed science degree, and immediately knew farming was his passion.
Today, Stutrud grows malt barley, wheat, canola and soybeans in the northern part of the state. He also sits on the North Dakota Soybean Growers Association board.
“The public speaking and parliamentary procedure components of FFA [have been] very valuable later in life, especially in a board setting,” Stutrud adds.
The Roundabout Route
For Katie Vculek of Oakes, N.D., the path back to the farm was less direct. Vculek (pictured above) was raised on a corn, potato, soybean and edible bean farm in southeast North Dakota. She was a state officer in 2013-14, and earned her American FFA Degree in 2014.
Vculek says she uses skills gained through Career and Leadership Development Events every day. “FFA makes you comfortable with discomfort,” she adds. “That’s a huge skill to use throughout life that you don’t realize you’re gaining as a high schooler.”
Katie Vculek works at her family’s potato warehouse during harvest. Photo courtesy of Katie Vculek.
Vculek attended North Dakota State University as an agricultural economics major, then completed law school at Drake University. She practiced law for a year with a firm in Minnesota, but the family farm called her home.
“The farm was always in the back of my mind,” she says. “It was the right move, and I’ve enjoyed it ever since.” Today, her days are spent doing legal work, logistics and bookkeeping for the farm.
Looking back, Vculek’s biggest advice for readers is to challenge yourself. “FFA not only gives you a broader understanding of agriculture, but you really gain a better understanding of yourself,” she says. “I’m forever thankful for my FFA experience, and I can’t encourage it enough.”
A Passion for Production Agriculture
Each summer, FFA alums from around the country are selected to participate in the New Century Farmer conference. See how attending can help you find friends, gain insights to grow your operation and more. New Century Farmer is sponsored by Bunge, Case IH, Corteva Agriscience, John Deere, Farm Credit, Firestone Ag, Syngenta and Tractor Supply Co.
