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Starting in October 2015, the New York FFA Association has had a new Executive Secretary at the helm. Derek Hill has stepped into this new job with enthusiasm for challenges, changes, and pushing the New York FFA towards the future. In order for everyone to get to know Derek better, we took time to ask him 20 questions. 1) What is your story? I am originally from western New York. I went to Cattaraugus Little Valley High School and was the FFA Chapter President. I grew up working on my grandparent’s dairy farm. I thought I was going to take over the farm, but one of my aunts beat me to it. So, I went to SUNY Morrisville with the intent of becoming a DEC officer since the outdoors is another passion of mine. However, while I was at Morrisville one of my advisors there suggested that I come to Cornell University to become an agriculture teacher and the rest is history. 2) Were you involved in the FFA? I was involved with FFA growing up, but not so much with 4-H. I was a chapter officer and competed in several "Career Development Events". I was on the envirothon team and went to Oswegatchie for a winter weekend. 3) Any hobbies or interests outside of your professional career? I am a big football fan, but I enjoy being outdoors and spending time with my family more. 4) What made you decide to be an Agricultural Educator? It was really that Morrisville professor that made me aware of the teaching opportunity. That endorsement helped me in my career path substantially. 5) When and why did you decide to work with teenagers? I thought that I could have a much bigger impact on agriculture if I helped to educate our youth. I am extremely grateful that I made that decision because working with our youth has been the most rewarding part of my career! 6) What is the one story that people would find most fascinating about you? That I married my high school sweetheart, who also happened to be a foreign exchange student. 7) With all you have done in your life, what role has been the most important? My role as a father is the most important. I have 2 beautiful boys that I love with all my heart. The next thing would be my role as an FFA advisor. The ability to connect with students because I am their FFA advisor and they know that they can count on me makes a difference in their lives. 8) What is your favorite place on earth? Any place with my family! 9) What is your favorite part of New York? I love all of New York State. I would really have a hard time picking just one area. I have been all around our great state and each area offers something different. 10) What is your favorite book or the best book you have ever read? I really like the Last Lecture. I have never had a book bring out that much emotion in me before. 11) If you were going to drop everything today and go grow something in agriculture, what would it be? I would probably raise beef cattle. I enjoy working with cattle, but I don’t want to have to milk them every day, which I did for almost 10 years. I have had beef cattle in the past and really enjoyed taking care of them. I will definitely have some animals for my two boys. I can’t think of a better way to teach children responsibility than for them to care for an animal. 12) Do you have a favorite quote? There are many quotes that inspire me, but I have always believed in hard work and perseverance. “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing." 13) What do you think is the most important quality of a leader? "Character", everything stems from your character. 14) What do you think is the best opportunity for a FFA member to experience while in school? The ability for students to meet new people, discover new things, and grow individually while in FFA. If we are talking about a specific event that can make a huge impact, it is probably National Convention, but we also do many things on the local and state level that have just as big of an impact. 15) What is the best advice you would give to a new agricultural educator / FFA advisor starting out? "Be prepared to put in the time." This is not a normal teaching position, and if you want your program to grow and succeed, you will have to work hard and put in the time. 16) What is the best advice you would give to a student in their senior year of high school getting ready for graduation? Challenge yourself, but also make sure you are doing what you love and always remember that your friends and family are here for you! 17) One of the big trends in the last 15 years of agricultural education has been the large increase in female participation and fulfilling leadership roles. Why do you think that has happened? I think female students mature sooner and want to challenge themselves more at an earlier age. Therefore, they are better prepared when leadership roles are available. 18) Do you think male participation is actually down or could be increased? Yes, male participation is down and we need to figure out a way to increase their participation. 19) What do you think is the biggest opportunity the NYS FFA has to work with in the near future? I think our continued growth and the number of schools that are interested in starting new programs is amazing and we need to capitalize on this. 20) What do you think is the biggest obstacle the NYS FFA has to overcome in the near future? Our biggest obstacle is training enough teachers to keep our programs and chapters growing. Sincerely, Todd Lighthall Foundation Executive Director  Derek Hill offering hands on classes at Tully Central School! We are proud to share this video from an October 2nd visit by Commissioner King to the C.G. May BOCES in western NY. Commissioner King represents the New York State Educational Department. The agricultural educators there do a great job and give their best to the students. Teachers like Rachel Clayson and Jon English make you proud to be a part of the New York Agricultural education community. The video has high school seniors show Commissioner King the Agri-Business Academy in the Genesee Valley, a one-year program where high school seniors earn 12 SUNY college credits. Excelsior, Bill Waite Oswegatchie Program Director |
The New York FFA Foundation The NYSFFALTF, Inc., chartered in 1946 by the New York State Board of Regents, is a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) charitable organization that provides businesses, associations, other foundations, and individuals the opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of our New York youth. Our mission is to build and maintain a financial base that will allow the New York FFA to generate well-educated and career focused productive citizens. Email our Director at [email protected] . Archives
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The NYSFFALTF, Inc., chartered in 1946 by the New York State Board of Regents, is a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) charitable organization that provides businesses, associations, other foundations, and individuals the opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of our New York youth. Our mission is to build and maintain a financial base that will allow the New York FFA to generate well-educated and career focused productive citizens.
New York FFA Foundation 9340 Long Pond Road Croghan, NY 13327 |