Planting Seeds for the Future: An FFA Alum Reflects on Agriculture
Kyle Mazzola in his family’s barn.
As we celebrate National Ag Week during March 15-21, 2026, we take time to reflect on the people who have helped shape the agriculture industry — and continue to inspire the next generation.
This week, we have the opportunity to hear from Kyle Mazzola, an FFA alum who previously served as the Bristol FFA president and now helps run his family farm in Massachusetts. His journey from FFA leadership to working in agriculture highlights the lasting impact of agricultural education and the dedication it takes to keep our industry strong.
Through his experiences, Mazzola shares insights into the role agriculture has played in his life, the impacts it’s had on him and local communities, and what the future may hold for the industry. Read on to learn more about his journey and perspective.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career or lifelong involvement in agriculture, and how did your journey begin?
A: My inspiration to pursue a career in agriculture stems from my upbringing on a small family farm, where we raised goats and poultry, and had cranberry and blueberry fields. During the summers, I worked at Shelburne Farms in Vermont, particularly in the dairy barns, which ignited my passion for dairy farming. The most rewarding aspect for me is the opportunity to raise animals, cultivate fruits and vegetables, and provide food for my family and community.
Q: How has being involved in agriculture shaped your personal life?
A: Being in agriculture has shaped my life in many ways. It has given me the opportunity to work in many different states, and developed friendships and avenues I would never have experienced. Being in agriculture has given me the opportunity to be a part of FFA, 4-H and Farm Bureau.
Q: What role does agriculture play in your local community, and why do you think it is important for people to recognize its impact?
A: Agriculture plays a huge part in our community, from the cranberry industry to cut-flower farms and everything in between. I have a poultry farm, and will soon have an apple orchard in South Plymouth. Being able to feed my community is so rewarding. I believe that we need to promote agriculture in the schools and in the community more, to make more people aware of what we all do every day.
Q: As an alum, how did FFA prepare you for where you are today?
A: FFA helped prepare me for where I am today by improving my public speaking skills, building connections and giving me opportunities.
Q: What is one common misconception people have about agriculture, and how would you respond to it?
A: One misconception about agriculture is that all farmers are rich. We aren’t rich in money, but we are rich in land, family and support from other farmers.
Q: Can you describe a typical day in your role, and what people might find surprising about it?
A: A typical day in my life is getting up around 5 a.m. to do farm chores while taking my stepson to school. I then head to the vet hospital for my off-farm job from 9-5. I leave work and head back to the farm to work on some projects in the greenhouse, gardens and chicken coops. I typically do health checks on all the goats every day, and dump and scrub their three troughs before evening feedings. After all the farm chores are done, I then head home, work on my schoolwork and spend much-deserved time with my family.
Mazzola feeding his chicken flock.
Q: Looking ahead, what do you think the future of agriculture will look like, and how can young people prepare to be part of it?
A: The future of agriculture, in my opinion, has real potential. I believe we will start to see agriculture brought back to our communities through small-scale farms that are more localized, bringing the community back together. I would like to see more young people join the Farm Bureau to get their voices heard at the state house, and in D.C., about agriculture and why it’s so important. Without agriculture, we don’t have food, clothes, fuel and so much more.
As we celebrate National Ag Week, stories like Mazzola’s remind us of the dedication, knowledge and passion that keeps agriculture moving forward. By sharing experiences from industry professionals, we can better understand agriculture’s role in our daily lives and inspire the next generation.
Mazzola at a Farm Bureau meeting in Washington, D.C., where he talks to legislators.
