Written by Brianna Bobo
At this year’s National FFA Convention, Salem FFA alumnus Katie Larrimore reached one of the highest honors an FFA member can achieve: the American FFA Degree. It’s an award earned by fewer than one percent of members nationwide.
For Larrimore, the moment was both overwhelming and meaningful.
“Earning my American Degree was a moment when I felt honored and proud,” Larrimore said. “I put so much work into my SAE, and knowing it was being recognized was a fantastic feeling.”
The award also gave her a chance to reflect on how far she has come since joining Salem FFA as a freshman. Growing up on a beef cattle operation, agriculture was always part of her life, but watching her older brother’s experiences in FFA inspired her to get involved. Once she joined, she quickly found her place.
“Through Salem FFA, I found what my true passion was,” Larrimore said. “Learning about all the different areas of agriculture, and understanding the importance of my family’s operation, pushed me to achieve this goal.”
Her involvement in the program shaped not only her high school experience, but her future. Now a senior at Wilmington College majoring in Agricultural Education and Animal Science, Larrimore said FFA played a major role in helping her choose her career path.
“FFA made me realize that I want to become a high school agriculture teacher,” she said. “My goal is to come back to Salem and give back to the program that made me who I am.”
Attending the National FFA Convention each year has been one of Larrimore’s favorite traditions. She said being surrounded by FFA members from all 50 states, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico reminds her how powerful agriculture education can be.
“I love getting to talk with people from different states and reconnecting with them each year,” she said.
This year’s convention also gave her the chance to talk with students from colleges she once considered going to. The conversations reaffirmed her decision to attend Wilmington College, a moment she described as impactful and reassuring.
When asked about her favorite memories from her time in FFA, Larrimore didn’t hesitate listing competitions, studying with teammates, creating projects she was proud of and developing lifelong friendships.
“Making new inside jokes and building those connections is something I always looked forward to,” she said.
As for current Salem FFA members who hope to follow in her footsteps, Larrimore offers simple, but sincere advice.
“Find what you’re passionate about and make that your SAE,” she said. “When you love your project, you’re more likely to put in the work and stick with it.”
With college graduation approaching in May, Larrimore credits Salem FFA for setting her on a path she’s excited to continue. With her American Degree now in hand, she hopes one day to inspire the next generation of Salem FFA members, the same way the program inspired her.