By ELIZABETH HEITKAMP
Farm World Intern

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) recently announced that former Agriculture Education and FFA Advisor Steve Hickey will serve as the Director for Leadership Programs. Hickey will directly work with the National FFA Organization (FFA) and Indiana Young Farmers Assoc. (IYFA) to provide motivation and inspiration to adults and educators.

According to ISDA Director Joe Kelsay, he and the administration are passionate about doing what is right for the state and, “We’re happy to have him on board.”

Hickey retired after teaching for 33 years at Shenandoah High School, but being only 55, he knew his job was not complete. He noticed an advantageous state change when FFA moved from the Department of Education to ISDA.

“The move made me interested,” Hickey said. “It gives me the chance to make changes that need to be made.”

He knew he could make improvements to the FFA program and Career Development Events, a variety of contests for high school FFA members, after his students competed at the local, state and national levels.

“There are a lot of contests and programs that have been done the same way,” Hickey said.

With some adjustments, he believes he can make the program stronger.

Kelsay believes Hickey’s experience will help the administration accomplish the ISDA’s strategic plan of advocacy, economic opportunity and environmental stewardship by spreading the passion for agriculture.

“If you spend time with FFA members and farmers, you can feel the passion,” Kelsay said. “They are the future leaders of our industry.”

The administration wants to support and promote FFA, and Kelsay said, “FFA and the Indiana Young Farmers Assoc. is an ideal connection to the (ISDA).”

Although Hickey was excited and energized when hearing he earned the position, Hickey was also nervous after being in his comfort zone for 33 years.

“God gifted me with a natural ability to lead kids, but now I’m leading educators and adults who have earned the right to make their own decisions,” Hickey said. “FFA was a career, but this is a mission.”

Wanting to make improvements, Hickey hopes he is supported in his decisions and changes. He enjoyed watching students succeed, and now he is ready to watch young people in the state do just the same.

Knowing he can make a difference for people keeps Hickey working, and he remembered the excitement of his chapter’s first state and national wins, but one community service program humbled him the most.

Shenandoah FFA members worked with developmentally disabled kids and hosted a prom. Hickey recalled how much those parties meant for both his FFA members and the disabled students.

“It’s a wonderful experience to see what young people really do to make a difference,” he said. “I could never put a price on those memories.”

Although Hickey’s life has been consumed with FFA, he didn’t start his college education thinking he would be an ag education teacher or FFA Advisor. He went to Purdue University and majored in biochemistry, but after taking a recreational director summer position at a children’s home for two years, he realized he loved working with kids.

He switched his major, but he wasn’t prepared because his high school FFA chapter had not been strong. He knew he wanted his students to not only be members of FFA, but also participate in the programs.

It is Hickey’s hope that through his new ISDA position he not only increases FFA membership, but also increases member participation within the chapters.

“There is nothing like FFA on the planet,” Hickey said. “FFA is just that good.”

In addition to Shenandoah graduates, friends from Washington D.C. and a Nicaragua mission project traveled to attend Hickey’s retirement party.

“I’m blessed beyond anything I deserve,” Hickey said.

Hickey is supported by his wife of thirty-four years, Deborah; three sons, who all earned a college education, are employed, married and live in Indiana; and one grandchild with another on the way.

He and his wife live on three acres in the country and in his spare time, he enjoys being an active church member, fishing, golfing and reading.