North Clay High School FFA member Haven Cash

Haven Cash was a trailblazer.

Cash, along with four other Illinois FFA members, was a part of the inaugural group of FFA in the USA reporters last school year. As a junior at North Clay High School, Cash wrote for the National FFA Organization, covering stories from across the southern region of Illinois with a wide range of agriculture-related topics. Now, as a senior, Cash reflects on her time in the program, shares her experiences and provides guidance to prospective candidates, mentors and current reporters.

Beginnings With the Flag

Thanks to her FFA advisor, Mrs. Katrina Van Dyke, Cash was inspired to apply for the recently announced program.

“I still remember the day my advisor approached me about a new opportunity that she thought would suit my interests and my drive,” Cash says. “I had recently been elected as the North Clay FFA Chapter reporter, and was eager to fulfill my duties. When Mrs. Van Dyke encouraged me to apply for this new experience, I thought, ‘Why not?’ We were both ecstatic the day I received my admission email, and little did we know the impact it would have on me.”

Reporter Life

With this new and exciting opportunity, Cash had the chance to report on various topics, covering many different aspects of agriculture and FFA.

“My first story was on a recent North Clay FFA graduate, at the time, and her award-winning SAE project over diversified livestock production,” Cash says. “Aside from that, I’ve covered several different sides of FFA, ag-centered community service projects, ag literacy events, member/advisor highlights and a glimpse into my own FFA chapter’s history.”

One story truly stuck out and had quite the impact on Cash as an aspiring reporter. She says that her favorite article she published was titled “A New Era in Agriculture: Effingham FFA Takes Root.”

“The story talks about Effingham High School rechartering its FFA program just last school year,” she says. “It was eye opening working alongside a chapter outside of both my section and district. Their story was just so good to hear as well!”

Cash at the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo, where she toured the newsroom.

A Lasting Impact

After her year of service with National FFA, Cash notes that the impacts of the program still benefit her.

“I have a segment called the ‘North Clay Ag-Cast’ on my high school’s podcast show, The Cardinal Chirp, as well as I have recently begun working on my personal podcast show, Diggin’ Ag: On Air,” she says. “The knowledge I gained from the program helps me write relevant and detail-oriented scripts and speak confidently when interviewing guests, making a comfortable conversation to discuss my passion.”

Now a retired reporter, Cash still offers her support to current reporters and promotes the program to any FFA member interested in it.

“I would 100% recommend the FFA in the USA reporter program to fellow FFA members!” Cash says. “I remember just this year so many fellow FFA members asking me about the program and whether they should apply or not. My answer was always, ‘Absolutely!’ It totally changed my perspective on careers in agriculture and provides an amazing topic of discussion within interviews or even as small talk.”

To read Cash’s past publications, visit her author link here.