From the top of Lucas Oil Stadium during his freshman year, to having a front row seat as a National Officer Candidate five years later, Missouri native Braden Havlik is showing FFA members and peers alike that anything is possible.

Never without a smile and a positive piece of encouragement, Havlik proudly served Missouri as a state officer during the 2024-25 school year. Havlik was also a National Officer Candidate during the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo in 2015. Although he did not secure the national officer position he hoped for, Havlik continues to shine the light on agriculture everywhere he goes. 

Havlik is a junior at the University of Missouri (Mizzou). In high school, representing Silex FFA, Havlik was on the team that won a national championship in the National FFA Agricultural Issues Forum Leadership Development Event (LDE). This championship and LDE influenced Havlik’s future career aspirations. He is majoring in both agriculture and political science, with an emphasis in pre-law. After graduation, Havlik plans to attend law school so he can eventually advocate for agriculture as an agricultural attorney.

He has had many opportunities to further his agricultural knowledge. With his experiences, Halik encourages other FFA members to “utilize your time wisely,” he says. “Don’t waste time to get involved or to try a new thing.”

At the University of Missouri, Havlik was recently elected as the student body president of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. This position gives him an edge that will allow him to continue to advocate for agriculture on Mizzou’s campus.

Havlik advises FFA members and peers to “be your authentic self and work hard, so you can do amazing things,” he says. “You don’t have to have a fancy title or fancy name. You can do amazing things, regardless of what you look like, what you sound like or what you believe in.”

Congratulations, Braden Havlik, on all of your accomplishments! Missouri FFA is so proud of you!