A freshman at Michigan State University pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and Natural Resources Communications, with specializations in public relations and international agriculture, Henry’s passion for FFA and agriculture – combined with her leadership skills and tremendous family support – have helped her become the person she is.

“I have been immersed in everything agriculture practically since birth,” Henry said.

She grew up in the small town of Elwell, near Alma, Mich., where she raised Suffolk breeding ewes and showed market lambs at the Gratiot County Fair for Youth in Ithaca. Her father, Burt, is an agriscience teacher at Alma High School, where Alex graduated in 2007. He was her FFA advisor. Her mother, Cheryl, is a teacher at the school, as well. Henry said she got a taste for FFA at a young age by helping her father with various activities.

“I helped him when he was coaching teams,” she said. “By the time I was 10, I knew how to run meetings and how things were supposed to be done.”

From that point on, Henry knew she wanted to be part of the organization.

“I got involved in junior high,” she said. “I recruited some kids and we got a team together. I also went to the Edge Conference. It gave me a glimpse of what the FFA is all about and really opened my eyes as to how great the organization is.”

The rest is history.

Since then, Henry has participated in Junior High Conduct of Meetings, land judging, the broiler contest, Greenhand Conduct of Meetings, agriculture communications, extemporaneous public speaking, agriculture sales, prepared public speaking and the discussion meet, as well as showing animals at her local fair and attending many conferences and training seminars.

She served the Alma High School FFA chapter as vice president and president, as well as Region III FFA president, before being selected as this year’s Michigan FFA president.

“I really fell in love with the organization at a young age,” Henry said. “My favorite part of being in FFA is the atmosphere of it. The people who are in FFA are a totally different caliber of people. They are dedicated to the future of agriculture, dedicated to improving themselves and they’re there because they want to be there.

“They are passionate about what they do. They are enthusiastic and they love being leaders.”

As the state president, Henry said she hopes to be a positive role model for others in the organization and a strong leader.

“FFA has helped me learn who I am as a person,” she said.

She credits her experiences with helping mold her leadership style. “I’ve learned how a leader knows when it’s time to step up and also when it’s time to step back and help others be a leader,” she said. “I’m confident in where I stand with my own skills so I can help others develop theirs.”

With National FFA Convention just around the corner, Henry is busy preparing to compete in the public speaking contest.

She won the opportunity after competing in her district, regional and state contests in Michigan. She will speak for six to eight minutes on the topic of Immigration Reform: Friend or Foe? followed by a five-minute question-and-answer session with judges.

In addition, Henry and the other Michigan FFA officers are gearing up for a busy year visiting all 111 of the state’s FFA chapters to “reach out” to members and continue to develop the FFA organization.