Gustine FFA Reporter
From July 20th to 22nd, the Gustine FFA Officer Team participated in an unforgettable retreat that was more than just a getaway; it was the start of a new chapter. Designed to strengthen our bond, clarify our vision, and plan for the year ahead, this retreat helped us lay the groundwork for success. Together, we proudly developed our 2025–2026 mission statement: “Harvest Your Potential.”
Throughout the retreat, we embraced both leadership and learning. Our FFA advisors, Mr. Wyman, Ms. Day, and Mr. Grant, led us through a series of thoughtful, creative, and team-building activities. One of our first challenges was to write three words or short phrases that came to mind when we thought about FFA. These words became the core of a fun, fast-paced game that pushed us to describe each idea to our team using other words or sentences, and then through movement, and later through a single word. Activities that started as a fun competition became useful tools that helped us realize the concepts of FFA that we have in common and wish to express throughout this upcoming year. Many of us shared words like SAE, Speaking/Judging contests, and Livestock, showing that our experiences have taught us to enjoy FFA to its fullest through participation in all the diverse activities that it has to offer. These moments reminded us why we joined FFA and how this common foundation can carry our chapter forward by inspiring new and existing members to take the initiative of joining new activities that can enhance their abilities and passion, just as it did with us.
As our chapter secretary, Juliana Martinez shares, “It’s always a goal to get closer to the team you’ll be working with, and in our officer teams’ case, we certainly got closer during our retreat. Playing charades, learning to depend on one another, and discovering new traits about each other, all while planning for the upcoming year, makes me certain that this team will connect with those of our chapter and community!”
One of the most impactful parts of the retreat came when our advisors asked us a simple, yet powerful question: What’s the difference between a group and a team? While groups are used to describe classmates working together or people with similar characteristics, together, we agreed that a team goes beyond a simple assignment or similarities. It means constantly evolving to grow as people and leaders who passionately develop their abilities to accomplish the missions that equally benefit everyone. We committed our team to creating a welcoming, inclusive environment for all members, new and returning, so that every student feels valued as both a part of our chapter and a future leader in agriculture.
Surprisingly, our minds were challenged not only by the questions or tasks during our leadership activities. We were also challenged by the Mystery Spot and its mysterious nature of making us dizzy and confused by its crooked, man-shrinking surface. After taking creative pictures and following the humorous tour guide, we enjoyed our last moments in the mystery spot by having two of our officers, Justin and Carson, participate in the last activity.
Of course, the retreat wasn’t all serious business; it was also filled with memories, laughter, and fun. We spent a thrilling day at the boardwalk, where we rode nearly everything, including the legendary Big Dipper roller coaster. After surviving the twists and turns of the oldest ride on the pier, our president, Carson Bell, exclaimed, “I’m coming back to Gustine as a different man.” That moment summed up our weekend perfectly: we showed up as individuals, but left as a stronger, more united team.
Our retreat pleased us with peaceful moments by the beach, soaking our feet in the cold waves, and reflecting on the journey ahead. This retreat reminded us that leadership is not just about planning events or writing agendas; it’s about growth, connection, and paving the way for others to follow and thrive. As officers, we’re ready to harvest our potential and help every member do the same.
