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Local Educator Is Awarded Future Farmers Of America American Degree

photo by provided Suzanne Buck receiving her award at the national FFA conference.

photo by provided FFA students using Dairy Day to teach the next generation.

photo by provided Vermont State FFA Officers just following a WCAX television interview.

photo by provided Suzanne Buck and the state FFA officers presiding over the state meeting at Shelburne Farms.

Tuesday November 7, 2017

By Cookie Steponaitis

Suzanne Buck first encountered Future Farmers of America (FFA) as a teenager. She competed in 4-H events at the Big E and, "first saw a sea of blue corduroy jackets and was not only impressed but slightly jealous.” Over time Buck began as a volunteer in the Vergennes FFA chapter and became a co-advisor with Bill VanDeWeert and part of a family of agricultural enthusiasts that she still keeps in touch with today. The pair shared many students, Tractor Days and attended national conventions together. Whether a competition, planning events or the annual Chicken Barbeque Buck was passionate about the knowledge and impact the graduates were having in the agricultural community and the skills and confidence they acquired. Whether it was riding a bus to Kentucky to support local FFA students, developing or Tractor Day with VUHS co-advisor Bill VanDeWeert, Buck took the opportunity to add calves, storytelling, making ice cream and games for the kids. Promoting agriculture was part of the package but so was giving back to the community and helping younger students see into the ever-changing world of Vermont agriculture.
    A graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a dual major in Dairy Management and Occupational Education, Buck has a very hard time remembering when agriculture was not a part of her life. Buck raised and showed purebred Jersey cattle for many years and has worked with many state level organizations including the Vermont Agriculture, Teacher’s Association, the Agency of Education and the Vermont FFA Foundation. “I am passionate about FFA as I love agriculture and want everyone to know not only where their food comes from but the names of those that toiled over the soil to grow it,” expressed Buck. “Without farmers we could not survive, almost everything can be traced back to farming. I am a lover of the FFA and what it stands for and look for every opportunity that I can to promote it and the students that are in the agriculture classes.”
    Buck is currently in her sixth year as the Vermont State FFA advisor and works with young people in all walks of agriculture and had the opportunity to see her children as members and officers of the VUHS FFA.  She earned her first FFA degree the Honorary Chapter Degree and was awarded the Honorary American Degree at the 90th Annual FFA National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana on October 27th which was an incredible honor for Buck. She was selected for providing exceptional service to agriculture and the FFA program by motivating their students to explore and experience success in the fields of agricultural science. “I really have no words to fully express my appreciation and honor in being chosen to receive this award,” explained Suzanne Buck.
    In her role as Executive Director of Vermont FFA Buck works with students and is active with current trends and directional shifts that are a part of farming in Vermont. During the past ten years alone Vermont farmers have set new records for diversification and changed how farming is managed and measured. While there are still generations on the land, Buck and the FFA organization works to educate and motivate those connected to this lifestyle and find new entrepreneurs looking to meld their passion for business and their love of the land and all that makes agriculture both profitable and a lifestyle suited to life in Vermont
    When asked about the role FFA plays in her life Buck was very emotional and thought before responding, “FFA means so very much to me. I have watched middle school students grow into young adults who were unsure of themselves and through their FFA programs they learned how to advocate for themselves, how to become our next generation of leaders while staying true to who they are and compassionate to others. They are passionate about what they do; they understand their role in the preserving land and making sure that they farm responsibly in order to feed the next generation.  I have watched individuals that were afraid to step out of their comfort zone, take that step and fly. I have watched shy young men blossom and become confident leaders in their own right. I have listened to individuals as they work to make change and run up against resistance from others. I watch and admire their compassion and their individualism as well as their tenacity. I feel that I give them the opportunities and they mold themselves based on what risks they take. I believe in the future of agriculture and in the future of these young people. I believe in helping them to develop their talents, be supportive of others and not competitive, find their career path and pursue it.”  
    Buck feels that FFA is critical to the future of agriculture classrooms and knows all FFA advisors work long hours to create programs that pass on skill, commitment and passion. While FFA continues to change and evolve as agriculture does, the Blue Jacket continues for Buck to be the connection between past, present and future. While new ways to farm and teach are always just on the horizon there is a strong bond and after watching her own children go through the FFA, the process never gets old. “I have watched them gain confidence to stand on their own two feet, travel on their own across the country and they have a family of FFA friends from the state of Alaska to the Virgin Islands from Maine to Hawaii.” The Future Farmers of America is a cornerstone of Vermont agricultural education and teamwork. The Valley Voice salutes Suzanne Buck for her passion and recognition and for all who work to equip the next generation with a love of the land and the ability to make a life and living with it.

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