WSDA Blog

Celebrating FFA week with Samantha Holling and her passion for agriculture

In the heartland of Oakesdale, WA, amid the rolling fields and the whispering winds of rural life, Samantha Holling stands out in her community for her leadership and determination. A high school senior, she demonstrates how her involvement in FFA (Future Farmers of America) and life on the family farm have laid the foundation for something bigger. Through hands-on experience, leadership development, and a strong sense of community, she has gained the skills and perspective needed to make an impact in the agriculture industry.

FFA: Empowering youth through education and leadership

Agricultural education is sometimes overlooked, but FFA offers a unique platform to help young people explore farming, food production, and environmental stewardship, and to equip students like Samantha with the tools to succeed in agriculture.

For Samantha, FFA has not only strengthened her connection to agriculture but also honed her leadership skills. Through competitions like the Agriscience Fair and Livestock Evaluation, she has gained practical skills, expanded her agriculture knowledge, and made her want to share what she’s learned with others. One of the ways Samantha has shared this knowledge is as a youth mentor, an opportunity that allows her to work with other students and prepare them for success in FFA and agriculture more broadly.



“Educating others about agriculture is key to being a youth mentor,” Samantha says. Serving in various leadership roles, culminating in being selected as District VI FFA President and winning the grand champion overall market hog, she has grown into a confident leader.

Real-world experience: Bridging farm life and future careers

For Samantha, agriculture isn’t just something she learns about—it’s a way of life. Growing up on her family’s farm, she gained hands-on experience in every aspect of farming, from operating grain bins during harvest to assisting with seeding and machinery repair. 

“Farming has taught me so many lessons, such as timing is everything, you can't count on the weather, don't procrastinate, and that there are always jobs on the farm that must get done,” she says. Samantha has been able to incorporate what she sees on her farm, and the skills learned in FFA, to apply them in a bigger way among her peers. 

“I realized how important it is to help educate others about farming practices and challenges so they are aware of how their job and decisions will impact farmers’ ability to produce food,” Samantha explains.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA): A gateway to advocacy and policy

One of the highlights of Samantha’s FFA journey has been her partnership with the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). In 2024, Samantha hosted WSDA’s Pesticide Management Division (PMD) on her family’s farm to learn more about how the division operates. She learned about pest control practices that help farmers protect crops and maintain sustainability. Samantha says this experience highlighted the importance of educating others about farming practices and keeping communications flowing between farmers and policymakers.

Inspiring the next generation of leaders

Samantha’s work with FFA and her family farm have instilled in her a deep sense of purpose. Since this story was written, she has become a freshman at the University of Idaho, where she is double majoring in Agricultural Economics and Finance, with a minor in Agricultural Commodity Risk Management. While she is still exploring her professional career path, her vision is clear: “I want to continue making a positive impact in my community, advocating for agriculture, and inspiring others to reach their full potential.”



Samantha embodies the ideals of FFA—hard work, leadership, and community service—and she uses these values to build a brighter future for herself and the farming world around her. Samatha’s experience offers a prime example of how FFA can empower youth. But participation in FFA is not limited to youth who already have a farming background. 

FFA offers young people of all backgrounds opportunities to explore agriculture, potentially sparking a passion for a profession they hadn’t considered. FFA is for all youth, especially for those in urban areas who may not have immediate exposure to it, they, too, can join Samatha in achieving a depth of understanding and a positive impact through agriculture.

Discover programs through Washington FFA and learn more about USDA resources for students at USDA Youth Agriculture Education.