From a rural community in northeast Iowa to the big stage at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, two Decorah High School graduates paved a path of excellence in agriculture.

Ashley Schwartzhoff and Hailey Nierling received the American FFA Degree at the 92nd National FFA Convention. Known as the highest degree achievable in the national organization, the qualifications require members to have earned and productively invested $10,000 through a supervised agricultural experience program (SAE) that they start, own, or hold a professional position in an existing agricultural enterprise, or earned and productively invested $2,000 and worked 2,250 hours outside of scheduled class time. Additionally, American FFA Degree candidates must also complete 50 hours of community service, maintain a good academic record, and demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities.

Not having a farming background, Schwartzhoff did not have farm animals to use for her SAE project, so she chose turf grass management maintaining her family’s lawn as well as working with neighbors.

“I started with that for my first couple of years,” Schwartzhoff said. “After going to college, I then used some of the jobs over the summer to help fill the requirements for my degree. I worked on a couple of dairy farms.”

Although she did not grow up with a traditional agriculture experience, Schwartzhoff was actively involved in 4-H, which lead to a natural transition into FFA. She was drawn to the organization by the leadership opportunities and experiences.

She had two advisors during her time in FFA, Mr. Rick Twedt and Ms. Joni Bruvold, who she credited for helping inspire a future career in agriculture.

“Even if you didn’t grow up on a farm, there are lots of things that aren’t necessarily ag-related that are in FFA,” Schwartzhoff said. “You can really make it what you want it to be. There are a lot of leadership opportunities and ways to get involved in your community. It is just really a great way to learn more about topics that you may not be as familiar with. With less people growing up on a farm now, it is a great way to get people interested in agriculture.”

Schwartzhoff is currently a senior at Iowa State University majoring in dairy science with a minor in agricultural education. After school, she wants to stay in Iowa and become more involved in the dairy industry. She said she has an interest in calves, reproduction and communications.

“My time in FFA got me to step out of my comfort zone,” Schwartzhoff said. “I served as the chapter secretary, and I think that lead me to take on bigger leadership roles. At Iowa State, I’m involved in Dairy Science Club, and I’ve served in a couple of officer positions there.”

Schwartzhoff and Nierling were two of only 136 American Degree recipients from Iowa. Nierling is currently attending Southwest Minnesota State University studying education and agribusiness management.

“I hope to teach agriculture in the high school setting,” Nierling said. “I think my experiences in FFA and just in agriculture in general helped me take that route.”

Nierling had been involved in FFA since her freshman year of high school. Growing up on a dairy farm, she had an early introduction to agriculture.

“I had family that was involved in FFA, and I always thought it was cool,” Nierling said. “I would see the things they were doing in the organization, so I knew it was something that I wanted to be involved with. I think FFA has a lot to offer, and something I think is really cool about FFA is there something for everyone. Depending on your skillset and depending on your interest, you can choose what you want to be involved with.”

She participated in the speaking and judging contests and was part of the officer team where she was able to become more involved in the community and chapter’s decision making.

“I learned about hard work and different leadership positions and how to take the lead and skills that I’m now using in college and hope to use in my future career someday,” Nierling said.  

She earned the American FFA Degree for a beef production placement project taking records and focusing on a small dairy steer her she started examining time, labor and cost of production.

“Because I grew up on a dairy farm, I thought I had a pretty good grasp on the agriculture industry, but once I got started in my project, I saw on a small scale how agriculture numbers work and how those numbers are affected on small businesses,” Nierling said. “It was a good learning opportunity for me. I definitely learned a lot about the agriculture industry and the economics and the labor behind small businesses in agriculture in general.”

Nierling said her parents had a large impact on her accomplishments, and her advisor Ms. Bruvold was a key person who helped with FFA contests and projects.

“I relied on a lot of people in the community especially getting into the project and not having a lot of background in the beef area,” Nierling said. “I am truly thankful for the opportunities FFA has given to me, and I hope this tradition can be carried on for many generations.”

Nierling and Schwartzhoff are the 19th and 20th members of the Decorah FFA who have earned this degree.

From a rural community in northeast Iowa to the big stage at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, two Decorah High School graduates paved a path of excellence in agriculture.
Ashley Schwartzhoff and Hailey Nierling received the American FFA Degree at the 92nd National FFA Convention. Known as the highest degree achievable in the national organization, the qualifications require members to have earned and productively invested $10,000 through a supervised agricultural experience program (SAE) that they start, own, or hold a professional position in an existing agricultural enterprise, or earned and productively invested $2,000 and worked 2,250 hours outside of scheduled class time. Additionally, American FFA Degree candidates must also complete 50 hours of community service, maintain a good academic record, and demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities.
Not having a farming background, Schwartzhoff did not have farm animals to use for her SAE project, so she chose turf grass management maintaining her family&rsquo;s lawn as well as working with neighbors.
&ldquo;I started with that for my first couple of years,&rdquo; Schwartzhoff said. &ldquo;After going to college, I then used some of the jobs over the summer to help fill the requirements for my degree. I worked on a couple of dairy farms.&rdquo;
Although she did not grow up with a traditional agriculture experience, Schwartzhoff was actively involved in 4-H, which lead to a natural transition into FFA. She was drawn to the organization by the leadership opportunities and experiences.
She had two advisors during her time in FFA, Mr. Rick Twedt and Ms. Joni Bruvold, who she credited for helping inspire a future career in agriculture.
&ldquo;Even if you didn&rsquo;t grow up on a farm, there are lots of things that aren&rsquo;t necessarily ag-related that are in FFA,&rdquo; Schwartzhoff said. &ldquo;You can really make it what you want it to be. There are a lot of leadership opportunities and ways to get involved in your community. It is just really a great way to learn more about topics that you may not be as familiar with. With less people growing up on a farm now, it is a great way to get people interested in agriculture.&rdquo;
Schwartzhoff is currently a senior at Iowa State University majoring in dairy science with a minor in agricultural education. After school, she wants to stay in Iowa and become more involved in the dairy industry. She said she has an interest in calves, reproduction and communications.
&ldquo;My time in FFA got me to step out of my comfort zone,&rdquo; Schwartzhoff said. &ldquo;I served as the chapter secretary, and I think that lead me to take on bigger leadership roles. At Iowa State, I&rsquo;m involved in Dairy Science Club, and I&rsquo;ve served in a couple of officer positions there.&rdquo;
Schwartzhoff and Nierling were two of only 136 American Degree recipients from Iowa. Nierling is currently attending Southwest Minnesota State University studying education and agribusiness management.
&ldquo;I hope to teach agriculture in the high school setting,&rdquo; Nierling said. &ldquo;I think my experiences in FFA and just in agriculture in general helped me take that route.&rdquo;
Nierling had been involved in FFA since her freshman year of high school. Growing up on a dairy farm, she had an early introduction to agriculture.
&ldquo;I had family that was involved in FFA, and I always thought it was cool,&rdquo; Nierling said. &ldquo;I would see the things they were doing in the organization, so I knew it was something that I wanted to be involved with. I think FFA has a lot to offer, and something I think is really cool about FFA is there something for everyone. Depending on your skillset and depending on your interest, you can choose what you want to be involved with.&rdquo;
She participated in the speaking and judging contests and was part of the officer team where she was able to become more involved in the community and chapter&rsquo;s decision making.
&ldquo;I learned about hard work and different leadership positions and how to take the lead and skills that I&rsquo;m now using in college and hope to use in my future career someday,&rdquo; Nierling said. &nbsp;
She earned the American FFA Degree for a beef production placement project taking records and focusing on a small dairy steer her she started examining time, labor and cost of production.
&ldquo;Because I grew up on a dairy farm, I thought I had a pretty good grasp on the agriculture industry, but once I got started in my project, I saw on a small scale how agriculture numbers work and how those numbers are affected on small businesses,&rdquo; Nierling said. &ldquo;It was a good learning opportunity for me. I definitely learned a lot about the agriculture industry and the economics and the labor behind small businesses in agriculture in general.&rdquo;
Nierling said her parents had a large impact on her accomplishments, and her advisor Ms. Bruvold was a key person who helped with FFA contests and projects.
&ldquo;I relied on a lot of people in the community especially getting into the project and not having a lot of background in the beef area,&rdquo; Nierling said. &ldquo;I am truly thankful for the opportunities FFA has given to me, and I hope this tradition can be carried on for many generations.&rdquo;
Nierling and Schwartzhoff are the 19th and 20th members of the Decorah FFA who have earned this degree.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

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