After being selected as Eastern Region Vice President for the National FFA Organization, Caroline Groth hung her navy FFA jacket at the foot of her bed so it was the first thing she saw every morning.

“I get emotional,” said Groth, a sophomore studying agricultural education and agricultural economics at the University of Kentucky.

The six-person officer team was announced at the National FFA Convention & Expo in October 2024. Groth doesn’t even remember her name being called, but she does remember hearing Kentucky—so she ran on stage.  

“The moment was completely surreal,” Groth said. “I was going through pictures, and I don’t think my mouth is closed in a single picture. I’m just standing there, jaw dropped on the floor, because that’s something I worked for my entire life.”  

The journey began in high school, when Groth served in leadership roles at the chapter and regional levels. Last year, she served as Kentucky FFA state president, then she was selected as a national officer candidate. Candidates went through a two-week interview process with a nominating committee that included personal interviews, media rounds and facilitating a workshop. 

“We have over one million FFA members across the nation, and this year, I get the honor of basically getting to be one in a million,” Groth said.  

Groth will not be enrolled in classes for 2025, as she travels nationally and internationally to serve FFA members and the organization through providing workshops, giving speeches, going to FFA camps and visiting business and industry leaders.

Groth said she is most excited for member interaction, as meeting people was her favorite part of being state president.  

“I’ve come to learn that I like to take all these little things about people that I love, and I like to incorporate them into my leadership style and become the best version of myself that I can,” Groth said. “So I’m just excited to meet a bunch of new people and make a million friends across the U.S.”  

In every interaction, Groth will be representing not just FFA but also Kentucky and the University of Kentucky. Groth is the ninth UK student to be a national officer in FFA’s 98-year history.  

“We’re very excited, very proud of that,” said Stacy Vincent, professor in the Department of Community and Leadership Development. “It is a good representation that the University of Kentucky and the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment produce high-quality ambassadors for the field of agriculture.”  

Groth said her classes helped her understand “hot topics” in agriculture and answer questions during the interview process. Groth also spent time preparing with 2021 Martin-Gatton CAFE graduate Gracie Furnish Reynolds, the last UK student to serve as Eastern Region Vice President.  

Reynolds is a Cynthiana native who now lives in Hickman County and helps her husband Jonathan, who served as a Kentucky FFA state officer alongside her, with Springhill Farms. She said it’s “hard to describe” the year full of learning, service and self-growth that she spent in the role. Groth has so many things to look forward to, Reynolds said, like stepping out of her comfort zone, meeting amazing people and traveling for an exhausting but worthwhile 300 days.  

“Caroline is a truly genuine and talented leader, and the organization is fortunate to have her,” Reynolds said. “She’s so genuine and very friendly, and people are drawn to her kindness and fun personality. She also has a great passion for agriculture and the ability to advocate for our industry.”  

Vincent said it’s Caroline’s humility, faith-based mentality, goal-driven attitude and ability to understand people that make her well-suited to this opportunity.  

“There couldn’t be a more deserving role model than Caroline to receive such an honor,” Vincent said.  

At the beginning of her year as Eastern Region Vice President, Groth is grateful for all who have helped her get here and excited for what comes next.  

“I’m this culmination of all the people who have poured into me, and now I get to go and lead,” Groth said. “I’m just honored.”  

Learn more about National FFA Officers at https://www.ffa.org/national-ffa-officers/. Learn more about Martin-Gatton CAFE programs at https://www.ca.uky.edu/.  

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Writer: Bailey Vandiver, bailey.vandiver@uky.edu 

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.