I am from the state of Michigan and currently live in a small town called Sebewaing in the "thumb" of Michigan. It's a quaint town where my wife grew up. We moved here about 8 years ago when I had the opportunity to take the agricultural educator position at the high school she attended (Unionville-Sebewaing Area Schools). We lived near Detroit for a year after both graduating from Michigan State University, and it just didn't feel right. Right before the school year started, this position opened up. I packed my bags for that job interview, and never left.

Since then my role has changed. In 2020, I left the classroom and joined National Association of Agricultural Educators as a communications manager. I've had a professional relationship with NAAE for the past 11 years - student intern, student worker, full-time contractor, part-time contractor, full time employee, and I was over the moon excited that an opportunity with NAAE opened up. NAAE serves school-based agricultural education by advocating for agricultural education on all levels, providing advancement through professional development for teachers, and recruiting, retaining, and recognizing agricultural educators in the profession.

In 2020 I also began Beck Street Woodworking, mostly as a COVID hobby. The house we had purchased had a 20x30' shed on the back of the property, and while I always had an interest in woodworking, this space allowed me to grow my skillset both as a woodworker and as business owner. Since then, we've rebranded and refocused to become Beck Street Creative Company. We mostly focus on laser-engraved items where we create meaningful, high-quality laser-engraved goods that celebrate and strengthen the agriculture, food and natural resource industries. We offer branded items like awards and plaques, merchandise like faux leather padfolios, journals and keychains and just about everything in between.

Describe your AFA experience as a student.

My AFA journey started when I attended AFA Leaders Conference in 2014. To be transparent, I almost didn't go. If I remember correctly, our college careers consultant had encouraged me to apply, I was accepted and received a scholarship from our college to cover travel.

During the summer and fall prior to attending AFA Leaders Conference, I had poured everything I had into running for National FFA Office, and at the end of the day, my name wasn't called. I was devastated and honestly exhausted. I could go and on about this, but it was truly the darkest chapter of my life.

With the way the calendar worked, I had about a week between National FFA Convention and AFA Leaders Conference, and I just wanted to lock myself in my apartment, think of an excuse as to why I couldn't attend the conference, and deal with the consequences later. I was still in the shock of not being elected to National FFA Office, something I had worked so hard for, and was feeling every emotion in the book.

A friend who had attended AFA before actually encouraged me to go, and told me that I could always take a break in my hotel room if I needed to. Looking back now, I'm so grateful for the friend who talked me into going.

During my first, conference, I met the person from NAAE who would later hire me as a student intern, give me my first full-time job after college, become a mentor and grow into a dear friend. That first year at AFA gave me the glimpse of hope that I needed in that dark chapter, and the experience taught me that everything was going to be okay, and that new adventures and new experiences were on the horizon.

After attending conference in 2014, I returned in 2015 and 2016 and also participated in the Food Science, Policy, and Crop Science Institutes. As I prepared for a career in agricultural education, these experiences broadened my understanding of the industry and provided valuable real-world insights and examples that I would later draw upon in the classroom.

What is one AFA memory, moment or conversation that has stayed with you?

Although I didn't go into this field directly, attending the AFA Food Institute was such an eye-opening experience to me, and taught me so much about a part of the agricultural industry that I knew little about. I remember getting to learn how food products are tested and sampled in the science lab, how meats are cured and processed and how food businesses like ConAgra and McDonalds work to make changes in their products, packaging, etc.

At the time, what did AFA help you understand about yourself, your leadership style or your place in agriculture?

I think my experience in AFA truly taught me that there's a place for everyone in agriculture. During my time in the classroom, I used many of my experiences in AFA to help connect students with opportunities and experiences in agriculture. As a student, I was always so grateful that AFA recognized agricultural education as an important part of the agricultural industry, and having the experiences of seeing so much of the agricultural industry across the country through AFA Institutes helped me build an arsenal of knowledge that I would eventually use in the classroom.

Was there a person, mentor, peer or industry professional you met through AFA who influenced your path? What impact did they have?

At my first AFA Leaders Conference, I met Ellen Poeschl. At the time, she worked as the National #TeachAg Campaign Project Director for the National Association of Agricultural Educators. I met her at some type of round table discussion in Track 1, and then again at the Opportunity Fair where I learned more about the internships that NAAE offered. I remember going back to my hotel room with the sheet of paper about the internships, completely jazzed about them, and feeling hopeful that this could be the next opportunity for me.

Since then Ellen has become a mentor to me in my personal and professional life. As a young professional, she's one of the best people to talk to about professional opportunities, career changes, etc. Ellen and I worked together on a variety of projects with NAAE over the course of seven years. I am always so grateful for her expertise, knowledge, and sometimes, tough love.

What skill, mindset or lesson from AFA has been most useful in your professional life?

I think AFA taught me the importance of always remaining teachable and flexible with your career. When I graduated with a degree in agricultural education, I was positive I would never leave the classroom. I remember speakers at AFA Leaders Conference telling us how their careers were anything but linear, and I didn't agree with that until I entered the industry as a young professional. AFA taught me to be flexible, to be teachable, and to never stop learning and growing.

Finish this sentence: Because of AFA, I...

found the exact place in agriculture that I want (and need) to be, and I couldn't be more grateful.