WASHINGTON, D.C. (FFA Today) — Each year, the National FFA Organization hosts the Washington Leadership Conference, where thousands of members travel to the nation’s capital to develop leadership skills and learn how to make a difference in their communities.
A key part of the experience is creating a “Living to Serve” plan, which encourages members to identify a need and take action.
For Blake Van Der Kamp, a Diamond Trail FFA alumnus from Iowa, that plan turned into a long-term commitment. Seven years after attending the conference, the service project he launched is still making an impact.
Van Der Kamp said that what started as a social media post to help students quickly get school supplies grew into a larger community project.
FFA members interested in attending the Washington Leadership Conference can contact their chapter advisor for registration information.