During National FFA Week (February 22-29, 2020), more than 700,000 middle and high school National FFA members are celebrating the role agriculture plays in our lives while sharing the message of agricultural education.

Shawn Miller, Wind Technician at our Miami Energy Center in Texas, with his grandson.

Before Lee Castleberry was climbing wind turbines at Invenergy’s Turkey Track Wind Energy Center (169.5 MW, TX), he was in the classroom teaching high school students agricultural science and serving as the advisor for his local National FFA chapter.

I

n July 2019, Invenergy made a

.

More than half of Invenergy’s U.S.-based renewable energy projects are in the same zip code as an active FFA chapter.

Given the proximity of FFA chapters to our home communities, Invenergy has a unique opportunity to make meaningful connections with like-minded people who believe in FFA’s mission. Our national investment reinforces our commitment to the development of rural communities and helps both Invenergy and

National

FFA share their values with a wider audience.

“Invenergy’s success is intrinsically tied to the communities where we develop, build and operate projects,” explained Kent Truckor, Director of International Development at Invenergy’s Chicago office. “Many of the forthcoming leaders in these areas are active in their local FFA chapter. It only makes sense that we support and work with the future leaders of these communities.” Kent was a member of the Evergreen FFA chapter during his freshman and sophomore years of high school where he was

active in meat and dairy judging and showed pigs.

How were you involved in FFA?

Shawn Miller (Wind Technician at our Miami Energy Center in Texas):

I was in FFA through

all of

high school and held several local officer positions, in addition to being District Secretary. I showed sheep and swine and participated in the horse and livestock judging teams. I was on the Courtesy Corps at the Texas State FFA convention and achieved my State Farmer degree.

Bristi Cure (Director, Renewable Development in Texas):

I joined the Spur FFA chapter to broaden my educational experience. I began competing in parliamentary procedure, radio broadcasting and

meat-judging state competitions that improved my public speaking skills and allowed me to expand my network.

How has FFA helped you in your professional and/or personal life?

Kent:

Although I grew up on a farm, it still gave me a greater appreciation and understanding of different parts of agriculture that I was not exposed to. This helped me connect with people from all different walks of life who are active in agriculture which has been critical to my role working in development at Invenergy as we never know who we are going to meet or speak with in a project area.

Shawn:

I learned multiple trade skills like welding, cutting, vehicle maintenance and carpentry that

definitely come

in handy. But I also learned about profit and loss and record keeping and improved my public speaking abilities.

Bristi:

FFA provided my first real-world experience in networking. Now, as a renewable energy project developer, I highly depend on this skill to build trusting relationships and get projects across the finish line.

Why do you think it’s important for Invenergy to support organization

s

like FFA?