1st Place FFA Speaking Contest Winner’s Speech Topic: Positive and Future Aspects of the Pet Industry Title: Bridging The Gap By Carissa Simagna | Aurora FFA
At the end or each October, Indianapolis is flooded by a sea of blue jackets. High school students from across the country flock to compete and participate in one of the largest student conventions in the world. In 2022, the National FFA Convention & Expo was recognized as one of the top trade shows in the nation. Last year, nearly 73,000 members, advisors, and guests attended the convention with almost 300 exhibitors in the Expo Hall (National FFA Organization, 2022). However, the first two years I attended convention, I was disappointed by the absence of the pet industry. I searched but did not find a single booth or store promoting this vital sector of agriculture. I recognized that the pet industry was missing out on a valuable opportunity lo reach and open gateways for tens of thousands of prospective clients, members, employees, and leaders. In fact, the pet industry employs more people than the pork (Cook & Schulz, 2021), equine (2023), and dairy (2023) industries combined. Economically, the pet industry is on the rise, globally generating an estimated 235.32 billion dollars in 2022 with growth predicted to reach 368.88 billion dollars by 2030 (2023). Experts at Morgan Stanley (2022) estimate “an 8% compound annual growth rate for the industry, which is one of the largest rates of return in any retail segment.’’ With the continual growth in pet popularity, Simeon Gutman, an esteemed equity analyst, predicts that spending in the pet industry will increase by 134% in just over a decade (2022). Being one of the largest industries in agriculture, I am shocked that the pet industry is so extremely underrepresented especially in FFA. According to the National FFA Organization’s mission statement: “FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Members are future farmers, chemists, veterinarians, government officials, entrepreneurs, bankers, international business leaders, teachers, and premier professionals in many career fields.”
However, many people are unaware of the existence, prominence, and extent of the pet industry in agriculture. After my realization, I pondered what I could do to solve this apparent issue. I grew up in the pet industry, so ever since I can remember, I have been attending various breeder conventions with my family. Because of my roots, I have numerous connections within the pet industry across the nation. The person that taught me how to train dogs when I was about six years old just so happens to be the legendary Stacy Mason, the senior breeder field representative at AKC, the oldest and largest breed registry in America. Last spring, I decided to take matters into my own hands and contacted Stacy Mason (personal communication, April, 2023 ), informing her about FFA and what they can offer each other. After a just few weeks of correspondence, my efforts not only reached AKC headquarters, but also the AKC Juniors advisor, the Judges Educational Supervisor, the Oklahoma Sooner Circuit show cluster committee, and members of the Canadian Valley Kennel Club. I am proud to say that because of my passion for the pet industry, AKC participated in the 46th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis in 2023. I am glad to become an ambassador to bridge the gap between AKC and FFA to further promote the pet industry and the agricultural industry as a whole. As proclaimed in the FFA creed (Tiffany. 1990), I believe in the future of agriculture. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure. I believe in the ability of progressive agriculturists to serve our own and the public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil. I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task ( 1990). 11
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