Granton FFA Alumnus Pat Sternitzky presents at the annual Granton FFA Chapter banquet.
Pat Sternitzky, a former member of the Granton FFA Chapter in Granton, Wis., used his experience as an FFA member to become successful in his career in agricultural communications.
Sternitzky’s FFA Journey
Sternitzky joined FFA when he started high school and got involved in everything he could. His intention was to use his experiences in FFA to enter a career in agriculture.
Throughout his time in FFA, Sternitzky received many accolades. He served as chapter reporter, then as the Wisconsin FFA section seven vice president in 1995. He also competed in multiple FFA Leadership Development Events (LDEs) to grow his skills in public speaking and developed a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE).
Sternitzky’s SAE is what helped him discover his passion for agricultural communications. He got a job at a local radio station his senior year doing the weekend farm report on Sunday mornings. After a year, Sternitzky was offered a full-time position. He also served on the first Wisconsin FFA state convention newsroom staff. Sternitzky’s experience at the radio station and with Wisconsin FFA helped him be named a national finalist in the first year of the National FFA Agricultural Communications Proficiency Award area.
A Successful Career
When Sternitzky stopped working at the radio station, he started his own business called Wisconsin Ag Connection. This website publishes agricultural news. He also started USAgNet, which creates websites for agriculture companies across the United States.
Sternitzky’s success with his business helped him get hired to design and maintain the websites for the Wisconsin FFA Association, Wisconsin FFA Alumni and Supporters and Wisconsin FFA Foundation for multiple years.
In addition to Sternitzky’s success in his career, he has a passion for helping youth. Sternitzky can often be found helping FFA members prepare to run for Wisconsin FFA state office and practice for LDEs, especially Discussion Meet.
“I feel a lot of people helped me along the way, and it feels great to do the same for young people who are now in the situation I was in many years ago,” says Sternitzky.
This service to FFA led to him being awarded the Honorary Chapter, State and American FFA Degrees. “I credit my own agriculture teacher and the things I learned in FFA for the success I have had in achieving my career goals,” says Sternitzky.
His passion for the National FFA Organization and the agriculture industry will continue to help Sternitzky inspire others to find the same success he did.
