Natalie Massa, an alumna of the Willows FFA chapter and current agricultural loan officer at Calusa Glen Farm Credit, shares how her three diverse SAE projects—rice farming, olive cultivation, and market sheep showing—shaped her career path. She credits FFA and her hands-on agricultural experiences with inspiring her to pursue a career in agricultural lending and helping her understand the farming industry firsthand. Her success in the FFA proficiency program, including reaching national finalist status and attending a seminar in Costa Rica, demonstrates how SAE projects can open unexpected opportunities and connections within the agricultural community.
