For most people, FFA is synonymous with farms, fields, and iconic blue corduroy jackets. But for Knoxville Schools, FFA is much more—a unique blend of leadership, life skills, and a deeply rooted sense of community. In a town where every Friday nights are filled with community pride at high school football games, FFA takes that pride to the next level, helping students plant seeds of success in whatever fields they choose.

Take Derek Anderson, a senior who recently attended the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis with his Knoxville FFA peers. Derek speaks with quiet confidence about FFA’s influence on his life. “FFA isn’t just for farm kids,” he says. “It’s about learning practical skills, like leadership and public speaking, that help in any career.” Derek, who discovered his love for forestry through FFA, is proud of his team’s recent achievements at the State Forestry Competition—a testament to the variety of opportunities FFA offers beyond the classroom.

And it’s not just students like Derek who see FFA as more than agriculture. Many of the students in Knoxville’s FFA chapter aren’t from farm families. They’re drawn to FFA because of its hands-on learning, community service, and the guidance of their advisor, Mallory Tolley, a teacher who wears many hats in Knoxville. Ms. Tolley, with her “helium hand” that seems to shoot up whenever there’s a chance to volunteer, embodies the spirit of Knoxville. She doesn’t just teach ag classes; she creates an environment where students learn that service to others can be as fulfilling as any personal achievement. During my interview with Mallory, not only for this story, but for the Bullet Point Podcast, which features her FFA students, I found a kind of purpose-forward humility in her leadership style. So much so that it required this writer to do a bit of independent backstory research to find that Ms. Tolley was recognized as the West Central Teacher of the Year for 2024 by the Illinois State Board of Education in their prestigious ‘Those Who Excel’ awards. She didn’t bring it up—and she wouldn’t have—but I find the honor to be completely consistent with everything I see in her program and in the outcomes of her students.

Sophomore Dakota Detmers, who aspires to be an ag teacher, credits Ms. Tolley with inspiring her career path. “She’s opened up so many opportunities for us,” Dakota explains. “My goal is to do the same for my future students.” Dakota’s story is emblematic of the FFA’s impact on students’ lives: it’s not just about preparing them for careers in agriculture but about inspiring them to give back to their communities. Knoxville’s FFA isn’t just a program; it’s a stepping stone to lifelong community involvement.

The program doesn’t just keep students busy; it prepares them for real-world experiences through partnerships with local businesses and nearby colleges. Derek Anderson, who plans to attend Blackhawk College’s ag production program, speaks highly of the seamless pathway from Knoxville’s FFA to real-world internships, where he’ll spend part of his time in the classroom and part in hands-on roles, from cattle ranches to wheat fields. “Everything we learn here in FFA just carries over,” Derek says. “It’s all connected.”

This year’s FFA chapter boasts a diversity of students with equally diverse goals. Claire Johnson, a sophomore, dreams of going into the medical field, inspired by her stepmom who works in veterinary medicine. “FFA taught me that I can make a difference,” Claire shares, a reminder that FFA’s influence extends beyond agriculture and that the skills learned in Knoxville’s FFA program—dedication, responsibility, and empathy—are universally applicable.

Knoxville’s FFA also gives back to the community in ways that aren’t always recognized. From growing vegetables for veterans, to beautifying the community with over 60 flower planters to be scattered throughout Main Street and other areas, to helping at community clean-ups, these students are quietly leaving their mark. 

Occasionally, they visit the elementary school for “High Five Fridays,” greeting younger students with smiles and encouragement—a small gesture with a big impact. “The little kids really look up to us,” explains Emily Conlee, a junior who will likely earn her state degree in FFA this year. “It makes you want to be a good role model.”

Knoxville’s community is woven into the fabric of the FFA, and vice versa. At a recent convention, the students couldn’t help but notice that Knoxville’s chapter stands out for its level of involvement and commitment. “We're just as involved as many other FFA chapters across the country,” Grant Lambert proudly states. “We do more than just show up.” That dedication to service and community is Knoxville’s hallmark, a testament to the values FFA fosters and the leadership it nurtures.

Knowing that the Knoxville school district cultivates this level of dedication and hard work among its students is a point of pride. It’s a reminder that FFA isn’t just an extracurricular; it’s an investment in the future leaders of Knoxville—a future filled with young people who know what it means to serve.