At the 92nd National FFA Convention this past October, Pennsylvania was able to have one of our own FFA Alumni, Caleb Wright, was recognized as a recipient of the Honorary FFA American Degree, one of the highest honors that can be received by an Alumni.
Caleb was recognized for his role in helping Pennsylvania and the National FFA Organization through his work as a lobbyist with Versant Strategies. Caleb is one of our own Penn State Ag Ed graduates, and has dedicated much of his life post-college to furthering the interests of many agricultural organizations, with the FFA being just one on a lengthy list.
We reached out to Caleb to lean more about what drives him to do a tough job in one of our nations hardest work environments; Washington D.C.
1. What
does it mean to you to receive your Honorary American degree?
It’s an amazing
honor. I’m very fortunate to be able to be able to support FFA at the local,
state, and national levels in varying capacities, which I take great pride in.
This award is presented to a select group of individuals, and I’m humbled to be
included with such great recipients from all across the country.
2. When
you were wearing your blue jacket, did you ever expect that you would end
up where you are today?
Absolutely not! If
the life plan my younger self had determined panned out, I’d be practicing
veterinary medicine with a wife and kids by now. None of those have happened!
However, I wouldn’t change a single part of my life’s course. I’m especially
grateful my life’s path included FFA and agricultural education to a deeper
level than originally planned. It’s been a true blessing personally and
professionally.
3. What
part about your job do you enjoy the most?
I like the many
places my job has taken me. I know it sounds like the Dr. Seuss book, but
I’ve been in fancy dinners in New York City, to tours of forests in Washington
state, to our nation’s capital with FFA members, and a lot of places in
between. I’ve made amazing friends and connections, all while lifting up rural
America through Versant Strategies’ work and clients.
Caleb regularly donates his time to the Pennsylvania FFA Foundation, our Gold Toe SOCS leadership program, and can always be found around Harrisburg whenever anything ag occurs.
To learn more about Versant Strategies, please visit their website at versantstrategies.net
