From Advisor’s Kid to FFA Leader
Monterey FFA advisor Tyler Vester (Dad), Former Cookeville FFA Advisor Jackie Vester (Mom) and Cookeville FFA Advisor Danielle Johnson.
Most FFA members see their advisors as a second mom or dad because of the time they spend together. For me, that idea has always been a little different. I actually grew up with two FFA advisors as my parents. Now, I’m even lucky enough to have my dad as my advisor at Monterey High School.
My dad, Tyler Vester, presenting me with the Freshman Member of the Year plaque.
Most people would probably assume that growing up with advisors as parents meant I loved FFA from the very beginning. In reality, it was almost the opposite. When I was younger, I barely understood what FFA was or what my parents actually did.
To me, FFA mostly meant long trips, late nights and meeting students whose names I could never quite remember. My parents were always supportive and present in my life, but as a child, it was confusing to me why they liked what they did because whenever I was with them, it seemed boring and all they talked about was agriculture.
In the Cookeville FFA greenhouse, helping with the planting, with my brother, Bryce Vester, and another advisor’s kid, Blake Johnson.
By middle school, I started to understand more about what my dad did, what FFA actually was and everything that went along with it. Around this time, my mom took a new job as a career and technical education supervisor for Putnam County Schools, and my dad moved to Monterey High School to start an agriculture department that took off, adding a second teacher to the program when I was in eighth grade.
What I never imagined was that one of those kids whose name I couldn’t remember, someone who saw my mom as a second mom, would soon become my other advisor, alongside my dad.
My mom, Jackie Vester, and one of her FFA kids, Aaron Blake Walls.
Even then, I still wasn’t very interested in FFA. Like many middle school students, I was more focused on sports, friends and everyday teenage life. That changed when I entered high school and enrolled in my dad’s agriscience honors class.
My freshman year was the year everything clicked. I competed in Creed speaking, conduct of chapter meetings and farm business management at the Tennessee FFA State Convention. For the first time, I wasn’t simply watching FFA from the sidelines; I was experiencing it for myself. I finally understood why my parents loved being advisors so much. The leadership opportunities, friendships and sense of belonging I found through FFA inspired me to become as involved as possible.
Me and my advisors, Dad and Aaron Blake Walls, at National FFA Convention.
At the end of my freshman year, I was elected chapter vice president. During my sophomore year, I watched our chapter continue to grow and make history by winning its first state competition. Through FFA, I’ve gained opportunities, experiences and relationships that have shaped who I am and who I hope to become.
Mackenzie Vester, author and 2026-27 Monterey FFA president.
This coming year, I will serve as our chapter president, and I hope to continue helping our chapter grow and succeed. Looking back, I never would have imagined that the organization I once misunderstood would become something I love—a place where I found purpose, passion and a second family.
