To celebrate youth in agriculture and agricultural education during National FFA Week, the Red River Farm Network is highlighting success stories of FFA Alumni from Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Originally from Kansas, Pam Tonnessen is a familiar face during North Dakota’s State FFA Convention. Tonnessen’s involvement in FFA actually started in her adulthood. “Growing up in Kansas, we didn’t have an FFA program in school so I didn’t get exposed until I started teaching in Granville in 1988. I was just in awe of what those FFA kids could do, they were the true leaders of our school.” After Tonnessen’s two kids got involved in FFA, she began volunteering every summer at the state office and is the North Dakota Alumni representative on the ND FFA Foundation board. “The one thing that hits me the hardest, is this is a passion for these kids that carries on. The kids in the blue jackets are who we want to be our future.” Pam and Terry Tonnessen were awarded the Honorary State FFA Degree in 2011. Listen to the full interview with Tonnesen by clicking here.