Martin Travis Martin, a 2009 graduate of Carroll Jr.-Sr. High School, has completed more than half his term as state FFA president.

His year of service began last June at the end of the 80th Indiana FFA State Convention and will conclude this summer at the 2010 state convention.

He and the other six state officers are residing at the Indiana FFA Center in Trafalgar. With that as their base, they travel throughout the state as ambassadors for FFA and agriculture.

Martin is the son of Mark and Karen Martin of rural Logansport.

Through email, the Comet interviewed him to see what his life has been like as state president, and what his plans are when he completes his term of office.

The Comet’s questions and his answers are printed below.

Q. What are the highlights of your year so far?

A. Personally, my highlights for the year have been traveling across the state and visiting so many agriculture programs and FFA chapters, and being able to meet all those members from across the state. Another favorite part of the year so far has been the four leadership conferences we have put on at the Indiana FFA Leadership Center. It’s been a great opportunity to connect with the members on a closer level and make an impact that they can then take back to their chapters.

Q. What other activities are coming up?

A. This week is National FFA Week and I am traveling throughout the northwest portion of the state, visiting chapters and celebrating our rich history of agriculture and leadership with some of our 9,600 Indiana FFA members. Later this spring I will be attending chapter banquets around the state as chapters wrap up the end of the school year, and I will also begin planning and preparing for the 81st Indiana FFA State Convention.

Martin said other duties and activities of the state officer team include attending leadership training, writing magazine articles, presenting speeches, visiting agricultural businesses, and hosting state-level Career Development Events.

Q. FFA officers work as a team, but is there anything that you’ve done personally, as president?

A. Personally, I have created a professional Facebook page with over 2,000 fans that is just another social media opportunity to connect and inform our members of what’s going on in FFA. I’ve also had the chance to travel to Washington, D.C., for the State President’s Conference to see how agriculture, education, and then agriculture education plays out in our nation’s capital through the Departments of Education and Agriculture. I also had a chance to meet with my Representative and Senator to thank them for their public service and promote proagriculture legislation.

Q. How did your local chapter (Carroll) help develop your leadership skills?

A. At Carroll, I was provided an opportunity to grow, not just as a leader, but as a person. Our FFA chapter is so strong at developing your potential, and I think that is why it has consistently been one of the strongest FFA chapters in the state. Under the guidance of Mr. and Mrs. Keown, I learned to take on new responsibility, step out of my comfort zone, and take advantage of the opportunities that were presented to me. Sometimes, I think people underestimate how great FFA is, not just for agriculture, but leadership. It is easily the largest and most dynamic youth organization in the country.

Q. What have you learned as state FFA president?

A. As state president this year, I have learned the “in and outs” of teamwork. No other time in my life will I have to live, work, and play with six of my teammates like I am this year, so I’m aware that this is some of the best career preparation possible and I’m truly making lifelong friends in the process.

Q. What are your plans after you have completed your year as president?

A. After this year, I will be attending Purdue University to study agriculture economics and management.

Q. Has your FFA experience influenced your future career?

A. My experiences in FFA and my family’s background have both influenced my career path. In the next 50 years, we are going to need leaders in the agriculture industry who can help supply our world’s growing population with food from limited resources and advanced technology. I hope to be one of those leaders who can really make that happen!