Upsala FFA Alumni members smile for a photo with Mark Koehn’s (far right) tractor. Photo courtesy of Mark Koehn.
Last fall, Mark Koehn embarked on an impressive endeavor. The Minnesota FFA Alumnus drove a restored 1940 Farmall M tractor 2,000 miles from the Canadian border to the Gulf Coast.
We recently caught up with Koehn, a retired agriculture property assessor, to find out what he discovered during his “Agri-Cruise Across the States,” a journey focused on promoting awareness of FFA members and Alumni and Supporters.
Q: Can you describe your FFA background and experiences?
MK: More than 50 years ago, I served as sentinel, reporter, secretary and chapter president at Upsala High School. I also got involved in speaking competitions, cattle judging and parliamentary procedure, which I still use today.
Coming into high school, I was a very sheltered and bashful young man. With the help of FFA and my late advisor, I grew out of my shy, awkward stage.
Q: What sparked this “agri-cruise” idea?
MK: Several years ago, I read an article about a man driving a tractor from Oklahoma to the Carolinas. I put a similar idea on my bucket list.
I’m a charter member of the Upsala FFA Alumni Chapter in Minnesota, which formed around the same time. I thought it would be wonderful to take something off my bucket list and emphasize FFA involvement at the same time.
Koehn pauses for a photo with his 1940 Farmall M tractor during his travels. Photo courtesy of Mark Koehn.
Q: What did you learn on your tractor trek?
MK: I started in Lancaster, Minn., on the Minnesota-Canada border, and averaged about 16 miles per hour on secondary roads that crossed several states leading down to Texas. A big sign on the camper I towed behind the tractor explained what I was doing.
I was hoping for good interactions. About 75% of those I talked to reminisced about their FFA experiences. Every day, someone paid for my gas or bought me lunch. Three or four people plan to start FFA Alumni chapters where they live, so that was really rewarding.
Q: You had another goal, which was to raise funds. How did that go?
MK: We raised nearly $7,000, and almost all of it came from individuals or small businesses. In terms of breakdown, 50% went to the Upsala FFA Chapter, 25% to the Minnesota FFA Alumni and Supporters Association and 25% to the National FFA Alumni and Supporters.
From the help I received after mechanical breakdowns to the everyday conversations I formed with people, the response was overwhelming.
Q: Why is Alumni and Supporters involvement important?
MK: I believe every FFA chapter with an Alumni and Supporters chapter associated with it is stronger than those without. For example, Upsala is a small school, but it’s had a greenhouse for a long time. Upsala FFA Alumni applied for grants, which were used to install about $25,000 worth of shelving and equipment in the greenhouse.
We also participate in the chapter’s officer interviews. We ask hard questions and sometimes have to make hard decisions, so it’s very much a learning experience for young people.
Koehn continues his involvement as a member of the Upsala FFA Alumni Chapter in Minnesota. Photo courtesy of Mark Koehn.
Sow Seeds for Success
Inspired by Koehn to give back? Contributing to the National FFA Alumni Endowment is a quick and easy way to invest in the National FFA Alumni and Supporters network. Make a donation today.
