Advocating Through Connection: Raine Wheeler’s Journey of Communicating for the Future of Agriculture
Raine Wheeler (in gray) giving a speech to a classroom full of FFA members.
Raine Wheeler, a member of the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter in Iowa, did not come from an agricultural background. Her story is unique because she had the opportunity to choose to advocate for agriculture on her own terms.
Wheeler runs and manages her own social media advocacy page, where she teaches FFA members and local community members about agriculture and the importance of it. She also hosts her own podcast, where she has her local chapter members come on and speak about FFA and the impacts of agriculture on their lives.
Wheeler says she wanted to start her agricultural advocacy page to educate her family that lives internationally and show American agriculture to them. Through her page, Wheeler has had the opportunity to connect with so many different members from different backgrounds and teach not only Iowa FFA members, but to connect at the national level.
Wheeler’s current plans are to attend college and major in agricultural communications to continuing to advocate for what she loves: agriculture. Within FFA, we have begun to see members who are bringing fresh perspectives to the industry, and Wheeler is one of them.
Wheeler (in blue) speaking through a microphone to a crowd.
Wheeler has ensured her community is knowledgeable on the effects of running and operating a farm, specifically about mental health. She wants to educate everyone on the importance of supporting farmers, and this has been one of many projects she has completed. Wheeler also creates fact sheets for members to glance through that educate them on current events or rates within the agriculture industry.
Having a passion always starts with a spark, and agriculture was the ignition for Wheeler to educate her community and family about agriculture. Wheeler plans to continue her podcast and social media throughout high school to continue to advocate.
