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Governor’s tractor ride kicks off FFA week

National FFA Week celebrations are being held across the country but the governor of one Midwestern state found a special way to kick off the week.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson is a cow-calf producer who continues to work his farm  – and on Tuesday he rode a John Deere tractor between the governor’s mansion and the state Capitol in Jefferson City to celebrate Missouri FFA, “Well, you know, every day you’re on a tractor is a good day for me. I enjoy it. I was on one this weekend but it wasn’t near as nice as this one.”

Alongside the governor in that tractor was Missouri FFA president Paxton Dahmer of Nevada, Missouri, “It was remarkable – definitely a once in a lifetime experience and an awesome for FFA members to see what it’s like to have a farmer in the governor’s mansion!”

Parson’s advice to FFA members, “Learn as much as you can. Understand where the future of agriculture’s going, through science, through math, through technology. All of those things are going to play a huge role in how we produce and how we meet the demands of the future. So, if there’s a young kid I’ll be talking out here it’s just tell them how important that role is and remember where they came from. Remember where those roots started.”

The National FFA was first organized in Kansas City, Missouri in 1928 and is now more than 669-thousand members strong. Missouri has 27,104 FFA members.

Governor Parson and Ag Director Chinn presented Dahmer with a proclamation, in the Captiol Rotunda, recognizing Missouri FFA during National FFA Week this week.

A panel of experts talked about the importance of FFA students seizing all opportunities to learn in front of them – stepping out of their comfort zones to learn and to learn all they can and be humble.

Interview with Governor Mike Parson after tractor ride to Capitol, FFA Week
Interview with Paxton Dahmer, Missouri FFA president

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