Meet Adisyn Sinclair, a senior whose life as an FFA member is more than just raising animals. Over the past two years, Sinclair has gotten the opportunity to participate in events that not everybody gets to go to, such as the Leadership Development and Career Development Events. Currently, she inspires others as the treasurer of her FFA chapter, a testament to her growth and dedication to FFA and everything it does.
Sinclair’s journey to success began her sophomore year. “My favorite memory would be the 2023 show, when I won with my lamb,” says Sinclair. “That was my first year in FFA and I did not know what I was doing at all”. But despite being a novice, she still managed to win a prize her junior year in the Houston Rodeo with a pig she nurtured for six months. “Senior year I am currently raising a steer, a pig, and will be raising rabbits as well”. She has brought a touch of magic to her work by naming all of her animals with a classic Disney name; Aurora for her lamb, Stitch and Jessie for her pigs and Buzz for her steer!
But her success didn’t come without stress. Throughout her experience, Sinclair has faced various obstacles. Raising a steer has brought its own set of challenges, such as managing overheating during the hot summer months and dealing with the steer’s shyness. “During my time raising animals, I had to gain a better understanding of responsibilities, time management, problem-solving, and prioritizing.” Along with that, balancing animal care with schoolwork and her social life has been exhausting. Even though sometimes things got hard, the support and guidance from her FFA advisors helped things get a little easier. Each week, her advisors provide species-specific clinics, helping students prepare for shows and answering questions about proper feeding and health concerns.
Last year, Sinclair embarked on an incredible adventure that began at the Calf Scramble Progress Show. “Four of my peers and I went to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and caught a calf that we are now currently raising,” says Sinclair. “I have been able to learn and see so much information that I am now using. ‘Learning to Do, Doing to Learn’ are a part of the FFA motto and I felt and embodied those words during and after the trip.” It was a memorable celebration of hard work, friendship and the joy of agriculture.
Sinclair attributes her success to the unwavering support of her family and especially friends. Having someone by her side helping her care for the animals when she can’t be at the barn helped her thrive in her FFA career. “For all my years raising animals, I have been close friends with someone who has raised the same species with me, and in my opinion that made the experience ten times better,” says Sinclair.
Though her family may not be well-versed in livestock shows, they have been there for her every step of the way; taking her to the barn daily, even when it may not have been convenient for them. “I have been lucky to have such success through my involvement,” says Sinclair. “It has encouraged me to become more engaged and vocal in my school and community. I’ve also matured significantly through my experience in raising animals.”
From overcoming challenges with her animals to building a strong support network, Sinclair’s experiences truly reflect the essence of FFA: learning, doing, and growing.
