By: Jacob Wilkins/ February 2026

There are moments in FFA where everything feels loud: the schedule, the pressure, the expectations. And then there are moments where it all goes quiet, and you finally realize why you worked so hard in the first place. Those are the moments that remind me that effort is never wasted, even when it feels heavy.

Preparing to run for state office was one of the hardest things I’ve done in my FFA journey. At some points I wasn’t sure if I could do it, but I learned that uncertainty doesn’t mean it’s impossible. On top of running for state office, life didn’t slow down. The farm still needed me. Crops had to be planted. Cows still had to be fed. Mornings started early and nights ended late. There were times I felt pulled in two directions wanting to give everything to FFA while also knowing my responsibility at home.

But somehow, between fieldwork and practice speeches, I kept going.

Then the day finally came, the day of the state officer election. My heart was pounding. Doubt was loud. But when my name was called and I ran onto that stage, everything changed. I looked out and saw members cheering, blue jackets filling the room, and suddenly the fear was replaced with pride. At that moment, I realized the hard work had turned into something bigger than me. I had done it. And I will forever be grateful for that feeling, a feeling I’ll never forget.

Another flashback takes me to a different kind of challenge. It was right after the state fair, right after vacation, right in the middle of harvest season and right before COLT. At home, we were in the field combining and trying to stay on top of everything. I wanted to be there. But I also knew I had a job to do in FFA. Driving to Dover, my mind wasn’t in the right place. I felt torn between two things I care deeply about.

That week taught me something important: sometimes hard work looks like sacrifice.

What surprised me most was what happened next. During COLT, I stood in my workshop and watched members run in, excited and ready to learn. As I started teaching, something clicked. I came out of my shell. I found confidence I didn’t know I had. I saw students laughing, learning, and enjoying themselves and in that moment, I realized I wasn’t just helping them grow. I was growing too.

While I was building up others, I was building up myself and they were building me up too.

FFA has shown me that hard work doesn’t always pay off right away. Sometimes it shows up later, in the form of confidence, purpose, and pride. It shows up when you’re tired but still choose to show up. It shows up when doubt tries to take over, but you step forward anyway.

Hard work in FFA isn’t just about titles or achievements. It’s about becoming the person you didn’t think you could be. It’s about learning that growth happens when things feel uncomfortable. And it’s about realizing that every long night, every early morning, and every moment of stress is shaping you into something stronger.

If there’s one thing FFA has taught me, it’s this- the work is worth it. Every time.

Thanks for reading,
Jacob Wilkins
2025–2026 Delaware FFA State Secretary