MacKenna Clifton Elected as National FFA Officer

It has been 26 years since North Carolina has had a representative as a National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Officer. That all changed at the 2022 FFA Convention when MacKenna Clifton, a junior at North Carolina State University, was elected as the Southern Region Vice President. She was selected from a group of 35 candidates competing for the honor. In order to be selected, candidates took part in a comprehensive interview process with the National FFA Officer Nominating Committee, which is comprised of students.

Clifton is a junior studying agricultural education in the Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences and minoring in Spanish and agricultural business management. She is a member of the West Rowan FFA Chapter and hails from Salisbury, North Carolina. On campus, she participates in intramural soccer and other student organizations, and her advisor in the department is Misty Lambert. Lambert stated, “MacKenna’s strengths are the joy she brings to others and her ability to really see the people around her.” Clifton was the 2020-21 North Carolina FFA Vice President.

Throughout her year of service to the National FFA Organization, Clifton will serve on the Board of Directors and travel cross country to present leadership workshops to FFA members. She will represent student leadership for FFA with agriculture, food and natural resources businesses and organizations.

We spoke with her about this momentous occasion that was 26 years in the making.

What did it feel like when they announced your name?

When my name was announced at the convention, I recall many emotions overwhelming me. I vividly remember standing beside my peers in shock that they called my name. My jaw dropped, and I was frozen until my friend, Stetson, finally patted me on the back and told me it was my turn to run up on the stage. When I got to the stage and hugged my new teammates, I looked around at all of our members and thought about how fortunate I was to be afforded the opportunity to serve. 

What goals do you have while in this position?

My goal this year is to use grace as a mechanism to reach others to allow them to know that we all are significant and have a place in the world. I want to use the resources I have to reach people where they are and how I can. Our organization became home to me, and I genuinely believe it can be a home for all. This year, I look forward to instilling confidence in others through intentional conversations and interactions. I hope to share my experiences and resources with others so that we may all find our home within agriculture and the FFA.

What are you most excited about?

This year, I’m most excited about the opportunity to meet the heart of our organization, the members. I’m excited to travel and hear the incredible stories of the members shaping our organization for the better. I am excited that this year will be full of humility, high expectations and endless growth.

What are your future plans?

I have a deep passion for teaching and would love the opportunity to educate the general public about the agriculture industry, whether in a high school classroom, political setting, or business and industry setting. I’m so thankful for the countless experiences, leaders, mentors, family members, and friends that have led me here. I’m looking forward to a year of investing fully, loving unconditionally and living deliberately!

Congratulations to Clifton on this huge accomplishment. The announcement is available online.