Steve Olson Running for National FFA Alumni Council President

Greetings! Anita Schneider and I are both completing our 3-year terms as Members-At-Large on the Council and are running for the President-Elect position. Using the blog is a great way for members to get to know those that are running for a position on the Council. Please also use this as an opportunity to contact me (steve@minnesotaturkey.com) with your thoughts and ideas on how the national alumni council can meet the needs of local and state alumni affiliates.

First and foremost I am a father and husband. Cindy and I have been married for 22 years. We have two sons: Ryan, 17 years old and a senior at Buffalo High School; and Eric, is a 13 year old 8th grader. Currently, and for the past 11 years, I serve as the Executive Director of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association and three other poultry organizations. My responsibilities include advocating for poultry farmers, processors and allied industry to consumers; and on local, state, and federal public policy issues.

As alumni members our role is to support the FFA and agricultural education students and programs. We provide the human capitol, in the form of volunteers that assist the advisors and members in maintaining high quality ag education and FFA programs. As alumni we have a responsibility to provide stability and consistency to our local and state programs. The national council is a resource for local and state affiliates. I have enjoyed serving on the Council the past three years and would like to continue as President-Elect. I bring a big picture perspective that looks at how the FFA Alumni can position itself for short and long term sustainability.

I am involved in the Alumni because I believe in FFA’s ability to develop young people; the need for consumers to better understand agriculture’s role in society; and, selfishly, I experience personal and professional growth through my involvement.
A few of the activities I am most proud of are:
Establishing the Minnesota FFA Hall Fame – recognizing those individuals who've made significant contributions to agricultural education and FFA over an extended period of time.
FFA Leadership Center and Miracle of Birth Center at the MN State Fair – assisted in raising $1.5 million to construct a new facility which attracts 1 million visitors each year during the MN State Fair.
Currently I am serving on two planning committees in Minnesota.
1. FFA Policy Conference for members to learn more about advocating for agriculture, education, and the FFA.
2. Ag Industry Advisory Council to work with MN’s ag education program within the MN Dept of Education; and streamline corporate support of ag education and FFA across state lines.

Steve Olson’s List of favorites:
- Favorite National FFA Alumni Convention or Alumni Development Conference Moment: Meeting Monte Ladner – I arrived at my first Alumni Development Conference late on the first evening after registration had closed and the banquet concluded. The next morning as soon as I stepped into the room where breakfast was held, Monte Ladner, a Council member from Mississippi popped up to greet me. His action left a very good first impression.
- Food: Turkey (closely followed by Eggs and Chicken)!!
- Movie: Caddyshack
- Song: Anything by Boston