In Mercer County, when you think of FFA (Spoiler: It hasn’t been known as Future Farmers of America since 1988), you probably picture a deep blue, zippered corduroy jacket with a gold chain stitched name over the right breast. You might even picture cornfields, tractors, an ag shop, and perhaps a farm animal or two. But for Koleigh Dixon and JJ Smock, both active members of the FFA at Mercer County High School, the organization represents so much more. Their journey through FFA reveals the evolving nature of the program, proving it’s not just about farming anymore—it’s about growth, leadership, and a little bit of grease under your fingernails. The organization known today as simply ‘FFA’ reflects the growing diversity of agriculture and speaks to a broader range of agricultural opportunities beyond farming. By adopting the name "FFA," the organization aimed to include students with interests in areas like agribusiness, science, and technology, in addition to traditional farming. Most who are involved today don’t even connect directly to a family farm, which is a major shift seen in the organization over the last 40 years.

The famous corduroy blues remain, but the organization’s rebranding was part of an effort to modernize its mission and ensure it remained relevant in an evolving agricultural industry. Whatever you call it and however you may remember it, FFA in Mercer County is something of which to be very proud.

A Tale of Two FFA Paths

Koleigh Dixon and JJ Smock have very different backgrounds, but they’ve both found a home in FFA. Koleigh comes from a farming family. Growing up just north of Eliza, farming runs in her blood. In fact, Koleigh discovered her passion for FFA by stumbling across her dad’s old FFA jacket in a closet. "I found his jacket one day and just knew I wanted to be a part of it," she says with a nostalgic smile. Now, as a senior and treasurer of her FFA chapter, she’s following in his footsteps— but with her own twist.

On the other hand, JJ Smock is a junior who doesn't hail from a farming background at all. His interest in FFA was sparked by something a bit closer to home for him: cars. "I’ve always been interested in cars growing up," JJ explains. "When I found out FFA had a car restoration program, I knew I had to get involved." And involved he got—JJ has been part of a team that rebuilt an old El Camino from the ground up, a project that not only taught him the ins and outs of car restoration but also earned him a spot in state-level competitions.

More Than Just Farming

One of the biggest misconceptions about FFA is that you have to be a farmer or come from a farming background to join. "It’s so much more than that," Koleigh says. "FFA offers everything from landscape design to agricultural business and even car restoration. It’s really about personal growth and leadership."

JJ echoes this sentiment, recounting his experience of being interviewed on WRMJ during antique days. "That was a big deal for me," he says. "Talking about our El Camino project on the radio helped build my confidence. It’s these kinds of experiences that show FFA is about much more than farming—it’s about communication, leadership, and learning from failure."

Koleigh, too, has found herself growing in unexpected ways. "I never thought I’d be interested in teaching, but after taking some of these ag classes, I’m thinking about becoming an ag teacher or maybe going into early elementary education," she shares. "FFA has opened doors for me I didn’t even know existed."

Lessons in Leadership

One of the most valuable lessons both Koleigh and JJ have learned from their time in FFA is how to turn failure into a stepping stone for success. Whether it’s dealing with a transmission that just won’t cooperate or navigating the team dynamics of group projects, they’ve learned that failure is not the end—it's just part of the journey.

"Failure is like more learning," Koleigh says. "You fail at something once, but you learn from it and do better next time. It’s a step, not a stop."

JJ adds, "We definitely had our fair share of setbacks with the El Camino, but every mistake taught us something new. That’s the kind of experience you can carry with you into anything you do, whether it’s in FFA or in life."

Looking Ahead

As Koleigh and JJ look to the future, they both see FFA as a foundational part of their personal and professional growth. JJ is considering a career in law enforcement or as an aircraft pilot, but if those paths don’t pan out, he’s ready to dive into skilled trades like welding or car mechanics. Koleigh is leaning toward teaching, inspired by her experiences in FFA to give back to the next generation.

"I just want to be a role model for my younger siblings and show them that you can do so much with your life," Koleigh says. "FFA has helped me see that there’s a whole world of possibilities out there, and I want to help others see that too."

Changing the Game

Koleigh and JJ’s stories highlight the evolving nature of FFA and how it’s adapting to meet the needs of students in today’s world. Whether you’re from a farming background or not, FFA offers opportunities to grow, learn, and lead. It’s about more than just agriculture— it’s about preparing young people for the future, whatever that might look like. And as long as there are students like Koleigh and JJ, who are willing to explore new horizons and take on new challenges, the future of FFA here in Mercer County looks very bright indeed.