Newswise — Among 42 candidates from across the country, New Mexico State University student Caleb Gustin became one of just six chosen to serve on the 2014-2015 National FFA Officer Team.
Gustin was elected to national office after interviewing one-on-one, delivering extemporaneous speeches, and leading workshops, as well as demonstrating his writing skills and his knowledge of agriculture, FFA, and education.
Serving as the western region vice president, Gustin will be traveling the United States, speaking, putting on workshops and spending time with fellow FFA members, building relationships with agricultural industry leaders and sponsors.
“For me, having the opportunity to be involved in FFA allowed me to build relationships and memories that will be with me forever. That is the best part,” Gustin said. “It is a great blessing to serve something greater than myself. I think about everyone who has helped me get to this point, which motivates me to go all out and help other members realize their greatness.”
Gustin has previously served as president for district 3, state vice-president in 2012-2013 and state president in 2013-2014. In the latter role, he visited more than 30 FFA chapters across New Mexico – all while attending school full-time.
“Caleb has been an inspirational leader – he believes in leading by serving others,” State FFA Executive Secretary Jerrod Smith said. “He’s got a natural charisma about him and we were confident he’d be successful.”
Gustin is an Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business major and represents the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences as a student ambassador. He also works part-time for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture.
“FFA has contributed greatly to my career at NMSU,” Gustin said. “It has instilled in me a love for agriculture that influences me into an agriculture-related field. It has also taught me the value of communication and relationship building, which has allowed me to have a great college career as NMSU.”
Coming from an FFA background, with his mother as a former FFA member, Caleb grew up showing pigs and sheep at the county, state and national levels. He also spent time working on his grandfather’s ranch. His interest in agriculture deepened when he joined FFA in middle school.
“I love the relationship building and the opportunity for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education,” Gustin said. “Agricultural education is more than a class, it is a family that is ‘United in Blue and Striving for Gold.’”
Caleb is the son of Mike and Lisa Gustin. His sister, Jessica, is a freshman at NMSU studying to be a county Extension agent with the Cooperative Extension Service. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, playing intramural football, and volunteering around the community.
“I know he’ll gain a broader perspective of our country and agriculture in general,” Smith said, “and bring his experiences back to New Mexico to share with other students.”
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