Next Gen Ag is a year long series that will run on our In The Field blog, Facebook page, Instagram page and Twitter account. Each Wednesday, we will highlight a young person pursuing a career in the agriculture industry. Individuals can be in high school, college, or recent graduates who are working to establish a career in agriculture. Stay tuned each week to meet some of our industry’s future leaders!
A day in agriculture is always a day well spent, or at least that’s been the viewpoint of Sydney Loflin for most of her life. From helping on her grandparents’ farm as a young girl to FFA initiatives and college classes, Sydney has been immersed in the world of agriculture for as long as she can remember. Currently working towards a future ag career, she can’t wait to leave her mark on the industry.
Sydney grew up in a farming family with grandparents who owned and operated a farm in Bladenboro and parents who both worked as ag teachers for several years. At their family home in Denton, Sydney and her parents not only harvested a garden every year, but they also grew a variety of trees and flowers together on their property. “I learned a lot about the industry from my parents, both through hands-on teaching and personal learning moments,” she said. “Each summer we would travel to my grandparents farm in Bladenboro for a week, where I would help my grandfather pick peas and help my grandmother shell them. As a reward, I would get to pick the blueberries off the bush and eat them until my belly ached! Those were perfect days!” In addition to blueberries and peas, Sydney’s grandparents grew tobacco, a variety of row crops, and raised livestock. “Agriculture has always been important to me because it runs through the veins and generations of my family,” she said, “but it was through FFA and my agriculture classes that I learned how the industry truly effects all areas of life, including jobs, nutrition and general problem solving.”
When Sydney entered her sixth-grade year of middle school, she immediately became involved in the FFA program. It was here that she truly fell in love with agriculture and decided to spend her life impacting the industry. “I was in FFA from sixth grade all the way through my senior year of high school,” she said. “Throughout that time, I met so many incredible people across the agriculture industry and discovered my passion to be a voice for those people as well as an educator for the hard work they do every day.” Sydney participated in many competitions and FFA events through the years, including The Creed competition, employment skills and forestry. “My parents raised me to be competitive, so I really enjoyed the competition side of FFA,” she said. “I learned so many life skills that have helped me in college and will continue to help me in my future career.” Directly following high school graduation, Sydney served as NC FFA State President for one year where she gained even stronger leadership skills, made greater connections across the industry, and gained hands-on experience through unique opportunities. “Everything you do is a conversation piece, so I try to get involved in as many areas of the industry as I can,” she said. “I am thankful for the role that FFA played in helping me do that.”
Sydney is now a Senior at NC State University where she is majoring in Agriculture Science. She is also a part of the Ag Communicators Program, which is helping her to learn about the current issues in agriculture, upcoming technologies across the industry, etc. Following graduation, she plans to obtain her master’s degree in either Communications or Business. “Although I am not entirely sure where the future will lead me, I know I would like to work in communications for an agriculture related company following college,” she said. “My true desire is to educate others on the importance of the agriculture industry while also acting as a voice for the farmers and agriculture industry workers.”
Sydney has held many internships thus far that are helping broaden her knowledge of and experience in the industry. Her freshman year of college she completed an internship at N.C. State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences where she enjoyed working with researchers and professors to learn about different facets of the industry. Earlier this year, she completed an internship with the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce where she learned more about ag policy and how legislation affects the industry. Most recently, she worked as an intern for BASF where she learned about sustainability and how we can create a stronger future for the industry. “As I said before, I love to get involved in as many areas of the industry as I can so that I have a base knowledge of agriculture as a whole,” she said. “I am thankful for these companies that are not only helping me to learn more about agriculture but also giving me hands-on experience that will help me build a portfolio for the years to come.” Sydney returned to her internship with the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce in August, so she is continuing to learn and gain experience with them this fall. Although she is excited for anything the future might bring, Sydney’s dream would be to own her own agritourism destination where she could continue to educate the public on the agriculture industry by immersing them in it. “I would love to have livestock, row crops, weddings and more on the property,” she said. “It would be a dream to not only continue to get my hands dirty in agriculture but also use the knowledge and experience that I have to educate others.”
Sydney’s love for teaching, in addition to her strong communication skills and creative mindset, will help further her career in the agriculture industry. “I love breaking down hard concepts for people to understand and seeing the lightbulb moment when they finally understand a new part of the industry,” she said. “Knowing I’ve made a difference not only in someone’s life, but the industry as a whole, will forever be the reason that I get up every day and do what I do.”
Although she loves interacting with people across the industry due to their hard work ethic and passion, Sydney’s favorite part of the industry is being able to get outside and get her hands dirty. “Agriculture is a fast-paced industry, but it knows how to slow down for the things that matter,” she said. “I enjoy the process of getting outside, planting something, and watching it grow. There is so much pride to be had in growing something from nothing.” In fact, Sydney has a variety of plants at her college apartment, including tomato plants, lettuce and strawberries, that she tends to each day. “I try to incorporate agriculture everywhere that I can,” she said. “My little plants bring me joy every day and I love to watch them grow from week to week.”
To anyone seeking a career in the agriculture industry, Sydney recommends getting involved in your community and local FFA chapter. “Learn from people in the industry as well as students in agriculture,” she said. “Get involved in the community and make connections. Don’t be afraid to get involved and get your hands dirty!” We are so proud of Sydney and all that she is doing to further the N.C. Agriculture industry. We look forward to seeing where the future takes her!
