Meet Emma Ruf
Emma Ruf, a senior at Connersville High School in Indiana, has been deeply involved in FFA from a young age.
Ruf was introduced to the organization by her father, who took her to small engines career development event (CDE) practices in late elementary and middle school. She quickly realized the incredible impact FFA could have on her personal growth and leadership.
Now, she serves as the Connersville FFA Chapter president, Indiana FFA District IX vice president and Section III director. She’s also a member of the Indiana FFA Executive Committee and chairs the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) subcommittee. In addition to her leadership roles, Ruf competes in crops CDE competitions and the National FFA Agriscience Fair and has an agricultural communications Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE).
Beyond FFA, Ruf has been a dedicated 4-H member for 10 years, participating in showing goats from her family farm and engaging in projects, such as cake decorating, which aligns with her love for baking. She also serves as president of the 4-H Junior Leaders, French Club and the National Honor Society at Connersville High School.
Spreading Joy, One “Almost Friday” at a Time
Ruf’s SAE includes serving as the director of the Indiana FFA “Almost Friday” Instagram account — an independent page not affiliated with the National FFA Organization or any state FFA association — and creating vlogs. Launched in March 2024, the Instagram account has grown steadily and now reaches nearly 1,500 followers.
The “Almost Friday” trend is a lighthearted way to celebrate the upcoming weekend with posts on Thursdays. It features memes and posts that express excitement as a week draws to a close.
After observing the trend’s growing popularity in the media, Ruf saw an opportunity to give it an FFA-themed twist. Her goal was to highlight that FFA is “not just about competitions, but also about celebrating enjoyable experiences,” she says.
Between March and November 2024, Ruf expanded the account’s content. In addition to continuing the “Almost Friday” posts, she introduced “Monday Sucks” posts and began producing vlogs on YouTube. As the account’s following grew, Ruf added Q&A sessions with her audience, offering a behind-the-scenes look at life as an FFA officer and sharing advice based on her experiences.
Through this broader content, she helps convey that “officers have a life outside of FFA,” fostering a more relatable and close-knit community.
The Big Reveal
Initially, Ruf kept the identity of the account’s owner secret, known only to close friends.
As the Indiana FFA State Convention approached, she dropped subtle hints, such as mentioning “the owner is a district officer” and “the owner has red hair.” She decided that revealing her identity at the state convention would be a perfect opportunity, as a large group of Indiana FFA members would be gathered.
The hints helped build anticipation for the big reveal, which Ruf orchestrated with her friend, Ellie Taylor. They created a fun video skit to unveil her identity, turning the experience into a memorable and entertaining moment.
Filling the Social Media Blank Space With Memories
Each week, the @inffaalmostfriday account receives 30 to 40 photos from FFA members across the state. Although the page is not affiliated with Indiana FFA, Ruf ensures all the content aligns with FFA guidelines and represents the brand properly. She also ensures the images fit the square format required for Instagram.
Ruf’s platform highlights the fun and memorable experiences of FFA members, helping to boost enthusiasm for both FFA and its upcoming events.
From Instagram Posts to Invisible Strings of Connection
Reflecting on the impact of the account, Ruf shares how it influenced her life. Through the page, she’s connected with FFA members she wouldn’t have otherwise met.
During the Indiana FFA District VII convention in March 2025, she met some of her followers in person. “A group of girls asked me if I was the one who ran the account. When I said yes, we all started chatting,” she says.
Experiences like these fuel her passion for running the account and continuing to spread joy across Indiana FFA.
Passing the Torch
This past year, Ruf submitted a proficiency application for her agricultural communications SAE. She placed first in the District IX area. After graduation, she’s considering either continuing to manage the account or passing it on to a younger FFA member to keep spreading the joy and positivity it brings.
Taking the Leap
Although Ruf had doubts when she first started the Indiana FFA “Almost Friday” page, it quickly gained traction. “Take that risk and don’t look back,” she says. “Just go for it!”
A Snapshot of Her Future
Ruf will continue to spread joy and passion through Indiana FFA and beyond. She plans to run for Indiana FFA state office in the future, and is set to attend Purdue University to double major in agronomy and agribusiness marketing management.
She believes her work with the Instagram account has influenced her career aspirations. Although she has been interested in agronomy for a long time, managing the FFA social media platform has inspired her to focus more on the business side of agronomy.
Ruf’s journey in FFA has shaped her love for agriculture and leadership. With her passion and experiences, she has a bright future ahead!
