EAST LANSING, Mich. – Alexandria Henry, a junior from Elwell, Mich., was elected eastern region vice president of the National FFA Organization.

Henry is the sixth national FFA officer from Michigan and the first woman from Michigan to hold the office. She was elected during FFA’s 82nd National Convention in Indianapolis.

“We’re very proud that a National FFA officer will once again be coming not only from Michigan, but also from our college,” said Jeff Armstrong, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University. “Alex’s success is the culmination of years of hard work developing her leadership and educational talents. She will represent Michigan and MSU very well at the national level.”

Henry was among six individuals selected from a field of 39 to hold a national office. The selection process involves applications, several rounds of interviews and in-depth written testing. Henry’s election coincides with the 40th anniversary of FFA allowing women to join their ranks.

“There is nothing I’d rather be doing for the next year than serving more than half a million FFA members,” Henry said. “I’m looking forward to spreading the message about agriculture, agriculture education and FFA while furthering an organization that has shaped my life.”

Fulfilling her position will require traveling more than 100,000 miles; meeting top leaders in business, government and education; visiting approximately 40 states; and participating in an international experience tour to Japan. Her responsibilities will include providing personal growth and leadership training for students, setting policies that shape the future of the organization and promoting agricultural literacy.

Henry is a double major in agriculture communications and agriculture education. She is a member of Leaders in Environmental and Agricultural Fields and serves as vice president of programming for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Student Senate. In 2007, she served as president of the Michigan FFA Association.

“Since my first football game at age three, I knew I was going to attend Michigan’s only land-grant and major in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources,” Henry said. “My experiences in clubs and organizations as well as interacting with faculty and staff members have helped me think about agriculture and natural resources on a large scale. MSU has helped me think globally about the system of agriculture, from farm to fork.”

As a member of FFA, Henry has had a variety of experiences through Supervised Agricultural Experience projects. She raised chickens, lambs and goats; worked in her school’s greenhouse; and completed internships at Dow Chemical Co. and Michigan Farm Bureau. She has won numerous awards and honors.

Henry is an Alma High School FFA Chapter member. She is the daughter of Burton and Cheryl Henry, and her FFA adviser is her father.

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of more than 500,000 student members -- all preparing for leadership and careers in science, business and technology of agriculture -- as part of 7,429 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success.

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