Finally!

Our State Officer team is officially on the web, for your access, in BLOG form!
I am incredibly excited to keep you all posted on and answer your question of,

What's going on with that FFA guy, Kirby ?

I realize that I have been to a number of events prior to this date, but don't worry because I have been taking note and reflection of my time being mindful to share!

* Note, the whole Blog thing is new, foreign language to me, so I am still fine tuning how I can work with it.*

Week #1 SUMMER !

What: AURI- Minnesota Renewable Energy Roundtable

Location: Mankato, Minnesota

Date: June 1, 2009

My very first week of summer, just the day after I graduated from Marshall Senior High School, I found myself back in gear with State Officer busyness and fun! Monday, I spent my day at the Minnesota Renewable Energy Roundtable hosted at Minnesota State University, Mankato and sponsored by AURI, (Agricultural Utilization Research Institute.)

The MN Renewable Energy Roundtable works to ensure 1) that the State of Minnesota is a recognized leader in renewable energy knowledge, application, and utilization. And 2) to create an implementation platform for moving short and long-term strategic action forward for Minnesotans and its Roundtable Partners.

It was an interesting and enlightening day as I met with those people who have interest and influence in our State’s direction of renewable energy. I was proud to be the only student present among those present! Meeting with members from the ( take a deep breath ) …Minnesota Corn Growers Association, Minnesota Valley Alfalfa Producers, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Windustry, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Department of Commerce, MnSCU System, Russell Herder, Minnesota Conservation Corps, Coon Rapids Energy/Environment Demonstration (CREED), College Deans as well as former FFA members to summarize the diversity of those present! Mr.Sawatzke, my faithful Marshall Chapter advisor, and I broke out with a group of representatives from many of the ‘names’ listed above and discussed what we would like to see happen or change in Minnesota. Some exciting and interesting ideas were presented such as creating a “Career Pathway” designed specifically for renewable energy based jobs, like wind and solar power.

I expressed my own ideas on the promotion of renewable energy in the classroom and increased curriculum and courses for High School students. Ultimately, it would be cool to even have a wind turbine or other form of technology on campus for students to interact and learn about! Acknowledging the growing popularity and relevance of “green” collar jobs, we discussed the potential of having our very own Minnesota FFA State CDE based on Renewable Energy! Oh, and we had some delicious food too!

Thank You AURI for making this event possible !

...if you had the money to do whatever you wanted, what aspect of renewable energy would you invest in ?