The 2025-26 West Tennessee FFA Regional Officer Team.
On Sept. 20, 2025, more than 250 West Tennessee FFA members came together to attend the 2025 West Tennessee FFA Greenhand and Chapter Officer Leadership Training (COLT) Conference. The 2025-26 regional officers spent months planning and working to put on this conference. I want to walk through the process of hosting this conference from the perspective of a regional officer.
Planning Begins
Regional officers plan Greenhand Conference at ROPE.
In August, all regional officers across Tennessee FFA attend the Regional Officer Preparatory Experience (ROPE). This conference, which is hosted by the Tennessee FFA State Officer Team, helps regional officers to learn how to not only facilitate, but also to run their Greenhand Conference.
During one of our workshop times, our regional officer team decided that we wanted to do a safari-themed conference. So, we went to the drawing board. We began to think of a title, create a design for shirts and plan out our workshops. We broke up into pairs, and the Greenhand Conference planning was officially underway.
Moving on to the Conference
Regional Secretary Baylea Walton facilitates a workshop.
The big day officially came, and the regional officers were so excited to host this conference. We had been up decorating and making flip charts the whole night before in our hotel lobby. We spent time sorting candy, creating name tags and getting excited for the day ahead.
On the way to Dyer County High School that Saturday morning, our regional officers were fully prepared to host this conference and influence the next group of FFA members. Two of our state officers facilitated COLT.
Roaring Into Leadership
Quotes members read on charts.
“Roaring Into Leadership” was the title of our Greenhand Conference. As members arrived, officers greeted them with upbeat music and a good smile. We introduced ourselves to the members, and then we were underway with the conference.
Each member had the chance to go to three workshops, which focused on FFA basics, communication and comfort zones. Members were encouraged to grow their knowledge and skills in FFA.
Leaving an Impact
West Tennessee FFA is a region full of potential; the members in this region truly make it special for all of us as regional officers. Hosting our Greenhand and COLT Conference was such a highlight for me so far during my eight months as a regional officer.
