A trip to ALWAYS remember... BI&E: DULUTH!

Every year the state officer team has the opportunity to visit 2 regions throughout the state of Minnesota. These visits have traditionally been called Business, Industry & Education Tours. (BI&E Tours) During this time, we as state officers take time out of school to visit agricultural education programs, classrooms, businesses and industry leaders within the assigned regions.

Lucky for Labecca and I, we got to explore the northern part of Minnesota as we visited REGION II FFA!!! The following blog posts will capture the past three days we spent traveling in a mini-van with the one and only Mr. Ertl, the State FFA Executive Secretary.

Our very first visit was with agricultural education instructor, Ms. Madole and the Duluth FFA Chapter ! Duluth is a picture frame city, with its towering Norway pines trees that rest upon the hills, gradually fading into the deep blue of Lake Superior.

In Duluth, there are 3 high schools: Duluth East, Duluth Denfeld & Duluth Central. The Career and Technical Education building, home of the agricultural department, is located on the Duluth Central campus, so students commute to the classes held there.

In Duluth, Labecca and I met with two classes: the Forestry class and Plant Science class.

In each class we met some current FFA members and some potential FFA members including:

Jesus ... Did you happen to see any amazing artwork at the State Fair? Chances are that you saw his artwork as he made a drawing the won Grand Champion at the MN State Fair. Jesus is a senior.

Brittany ... is fairly new to FFA, but had the awesome opportunity to represent Duluth at State Convention this past April. She is quite interested in Forestry in addition to snowboarding and Guitar Hero. When she isn't tearing up the slopes, Brittany enjoys nannying in the Twin Cities and working with younger children.

Keifer ... is an avid outdoors man. He loves going out in his canoe and is also interested in Forestry.

Hoshka ... is interested in Small Animals. She enjoys pets and would like to work with children and ensuring their health and safety.

In addition to meeting agricultural students, we went crowd surfing with Ms.Madole and stopped for some lunch with members of Duluth's BPA Chapter. (Business Professionals of America)

As one student, George put it, "FFA, basically, sounds like something for everyone, and that the opportunities you get for it will definitely help you in the future." ... well said.

I had a great time visiting with the program in Duluth and look forward to see where their FFA chapter will go, and more than that- where the members will go.

Until next time - SEE YA!

151 miles and counting...