Ferguson College of Agriculture

Amara Jackson, an agricultural communications and agribusiness major at Oklahoma State University, has been elected by national FFA delegates from throughout the U.S., to serve on the 2023-24 National FFA Officer Team.

 

Jackson, a junior from Corunna, Mich., will serve as President for the organization. She is one of six students elected by delegates to represent the organization as National FFA officers. National officers commit to a year of service to the National FFA organization and each travels more than 100,000 national and international miles to interact with business and industry leaders, thousands of FFA members and teachers, corporate sponsors, government and education officials, state FFA leaders, the general public and more.

 

“I am most excited to get to meet students where they’re at and learning more about their home states and communities,” Jackson said. "I am also excited to meet with business and industry partners who support the National FFA Organization. I love learning about agriculture, so being able to do that on a national scale is something I am looking forward to.”

 

As a freshman in high school, Jackson was very involved in extracurricular activities and felt as though she did not have time to dedicate to her local FFA chapter. Her sister, Avi, pushed her to get involved in FFA. It was at her first state convention that she felt as though she was a part of something bigger than herself, she said. Since then, she has been hooked.

 

“I have had many mentors that poured into me and helped me see my own potential,” Jackson said. “I am using my national officer position as a way to give back to the students the way others gave back to me.”

 

Jackson, originally enrolled at Lansing Community College, began her academic journey at OSU in Jan. 2023. The prestige and reputation of both the agricultural communications program and the university itself is what enticed Jackson to attending OSU, she said.

 

Jackson is one of 24 Ferguson College of Agriculture Ambassadors. The Ambassadors are dedicated to enhancing the image of and interest in the agriculture and natural resources industries, the Ferguson College of Agriculture and Oklahoma State University. Some of Jackson’s duties include hosting educational and career events, recruiting prospective students and speaking on behalf of the college. Additionally, Jackson is a member of Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow.

 

“I have had tremendous support from the Ferguson College of Agriculture,” said Jackson. “Chesley Comstock aided me with interview materials and scheduled professional development activities to aid me.”

 

Ryan Best, an agricultural education doctoral student and former National FFA president, also aided Jackson on her journey to national office, she said.

 

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 945,988 members in grades five through 12 and in college who belong to one of 9,163 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.