NDSU student Brianna Maddock, a sophomore majoring in food science, is ending a busy year as the North Dakota State FFA president. She is scheduled to present her retiring address Thursday, June 6, during the sixth session of the FFA State Convention underway at NDSU’s Bentsen Bunker Field House.
She is from Davenport, North Dakota, and is a member of the Kindred FFA chapter.
Maddock’s educational pursuit of food science and agricultural research came from participation in the FFA Agriscience Fair. “I conducted multiple original research studies related to agriculture and I have wanted to impact the agriculture industry ever since,” she said.
Her interest in agricultural research made NDSU a natural choice for her college education. She became comfortable with the campus while attending the state FFA conventions and she enjoys studying food science because it combines her interest in science with her desire to work in the agricultural industry.
The Department of Plant Sciences supports the State FFA Convention by coordinating two competitions. Todd West, assistant dean of the College of Agriculture, Food Science and Natural Resources, and woody plant improvement project leader, coordinates the Nursery/Landscape Career Development Event and research specialist Barbara Laschkewitsch coordinates the Floriculture Career Development Event.
“We welcome ND FFA to NDSU and value our relationship with this great organization,” West said. “Students who have been involved in FFA and choose to attend NDSU bring exceptional skills that benefit their educational and career choices, particularly those who are interested in the areas of agriculture, natural resources and food science.”
During her years participating in FFA, Maddock was a chapter officer for three years and received several state and national honors.
At NDSU, Maddock is a Bison Ambassador, an Ag Ambassador and is a member of the Agriculture Collective and the Crossroads Lutheran Campus Ministry. She is a quality assurance intern at Abbiano Pasta Co. in Casselton, North Dakota, and her career plans are to work in agricultural research at a university or in the agricultural industry.
Three other state FFA officers also attend NDSU: Treasurer Billie Lentz, Sentinel Lucas Rath and Parliamentarian Jacy Hauge.
