The “Living to Serve” line of the FFA motto looks different for everyone. Maybe you’ve been fortunate enough to experience the blue corduroy, or perhaps you’ve watched someone discover their true self through it. Maybe you’re a past advisor who’s impacted countless students — and continues to inspire others today.
One person who truly embodies “Living to Serve” is Kaci (McAfee) Geisler, my sister’s past FFA advisor from the Southwestern FFA Chapter in Illinois. Even though I never had the chance to have her as an advisor, her impact still reached me. Through the stories my sister shared and the example “K. Mac” (a nickname her students gave her) set, I saw what genuine leadership, compassion, and dedication look like. Her influence continues to inspire me to serve others, to carry on the blue corduroy tradition and to keep reaching for the stars.
When I asked Geisler what the FFA motto meant to her personally, her response was deeply heartfelt. “Growing up in agriculture, I feel like I was taught this trait at a very young age,” she says. “These producers are the true meaning of ‘Living to Serve.’”
FFA not only taught Geisler about the importance of service, but it also shaped her life and career. “Being in FFA was just the beginning of my agricultural career,” she says. “It led me to join many agricultural clubs in college, which helped direct me into an agricultural career. Through livestock judging, conventions and scholarships, I built lifelong skills and a passion that carried me into teaching and, later, into my work with CHS.”
Geisler with her students on agricultural legislative day.
Her experiences as an FFA advisor left a lasting impression as well. “My favorite memories are watching students go from shy freshmen to confident leaders — students who traveled, competed and experienced things they never would have if they hadn’t joined FFA,” she says.
Geisler’s story shows how the blue corduroy can continue to shape lives long after high school. When asked what advice she would give current members, she said, “Do it all. Try every contest. Go to every convention and conference. Run for office, volunteer and share your story. Be proud of your accomplishments, big or small. The biggest difference you can make in agriculture and FFA is to talk about it and promote it.”
As a junior in FFA, I sometimes feel overwhelmed and like I might never reach the dreams I set for myself as a freshman because I may have failed at them the first time I tried. But hearing Geisler’s story reminded me that success doesn’t always look like what we expect. “Living to Serve” means showing up, giving your best and finding purpose in every season — even the hard ones. Her words remind me that my FFA journey is still being written, and every challenge is just another step toward who I’m becoming.
Geisler with some of her students after they got their state degrees.
