FFA member Myken Rindlisbaker competes in Rangeland Western Nationals.
From the North Gem FFA Chapter in Idaho, Myken Rindlisbaker is a dedicated FFA member who is currently serving as the Southeast Idaho District president. Over the past four years, Rindlisbaker has built lasting friendships throughout the state and actively encouraged membership throughout her community. The National FFA Organization has given her opportunities that she never imagined possible as a high school student.
“FFA has taught me life lessons and has brought out the true, authentic me,” says Rindlisbaker. “It has hands down shaped me into the person who I am today.”
This past fall, Rindlisbaker competed in the Western National Rangeland Career Development Event. Her team earned a Third High Team placing overall, while Rindlisbaker placed third individually and received the highest score in plant identification.
Rindlisbaker in her crop production project.
From Field to Pasture
For her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), Rindlisbaker works for L/R Canyon Ranch, alongside her family. Throughout the year she helps plant, harvest and haul crops. The ranch produces hay, red wheat, clover, white wheat and triticale.
In addition to crop production, Rindlisbaker is involved in ranching cattle. She runs 20-28 head of Black Angus cattle in a pasture rotation from May to October, and in a concrete alleyway from November to April.
Black Angus cattle during their winter rotation.
Agriculture Beyond the Farm
Through working on her SAE project, Rindlisbaker has gained first-hand experience of the importance of farmers being involved in government and policy decisions.
“American farmers and ranchers have been driven out of the USA for the past 20 years,” Rindlisbaker says. “This is the industry that feeds, clothes and provides supplies to build America. It’s so vital for our voices to be heard in Congress and the Senate, so that America doesn’t collapse.”
To advocate for agriculture today, Rindlisbaker turned to social media. She started the Instagram account Southeast Idaho Agriculture, where she educates her followers about Idaho’s agriculture industry through fun, insightful posts. She connects modern agriculture to its historical roots, highlighting how the Founding Fathers envisioned the industry. Rindlisbaker also discusses laws and how they affect us and our farmers.
“Having U.S. Secretary Brooke Rollins defend our farmers and ranchers in D.C. has been such a blessing for the agriculture industry,” Rindlisbaker says. “We need more politicians who advocate like her.”
Rindlisbaker plans to attend Brigham Young University-Idaho and major in agricultural business, with a minor in political science. After finishing school, she wants to work in the government as a member of Idaho’s agriculture committee or as a state representative. Until then, she will continue to advocate for agriculture to help ensure a strong future for the industry.
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