Two small town girls living just miles apart were recently selected to serve on the 2022-23 Colorado FFA State Officer team. Haxtun's Brooke Plumb and Fleming's Natali Boerner were elected to the State Officer team during the final session of the 94th annual Colorado State FFA Convention in Pueblo on June 9. Both girls are 2022 graduates of their respective high schools and have already attended Colorado Career and Technical Student Organization training in Denver to begin their year-long state officer adventure. The two will continue with training sessions throughout the summer and begin Chapter visits next fall.

Plumb and Boerner were a part of a long, four-round election process earlier this month at the annual State Convention. The interview process begins with a test, written exercise and one-on-on interviews with the nominating committee. The process also includes an impromptu speech, an agriculture issues round with industry professionals and a person interview round.

"The interview process for becoming a state officer is very intense," Plumb said. "Throughout all of the process, the nominating committee was filling out rubrics based on competencies that include things like character, team player and organization."

Boerner said once the interview process is complete, candidates wait three days to find out if they made the officer team.

"The process itself can be very stressful, however, all of us candidates got really close during the process. The hardest part of the entire thing was waiting three days before elections. That part was really scary."

During the final session of the State Convention, the next year's officer team is announced. Plumb said that while she knows she was full of anticipation and excitement while she waited for her name to be called, she also has a hard time recalling what she thought and felt as they started to announce the officer slate.

"I do remember the Chicago Bulls theme song being played right before they announced the first office," she said. "It was a very long wait to hear my name because I was the second to last person called. As soon as I heard Haxtun I was running."

Boerner's name was called early as she was elected to serve as a State Executive Committee Member and second to last called was Plumb as she earned the office of Vice President.

"My duties will be to assist the other officers in fulfilling their duties. I will get to spend a lot of time with members, work with the other officers and attend executive committee meetings," Boerner said.

As Vice President, Plumb will have the opportunity to attend the State Officer Summit in Washington, D.C. alongside the State President. Other than that, she said, the only difference in duties from other offices than hers is playing a different role in opening ceremonies.

"The amazing thing about the way that the state officer team is set up is that we are all equal. We all put in the same amount of work and very few of us have office specific duties," said Plumb.

Throughout the year, the State officers will plan and attend conferences including the BIG Conference and district leadership conferences. The members will also conduct chapter visits across the State.

"Our team will also be the first team that has the opportunity to live together for the full year of service," Plumb said. "At of the beginning of July, we will all move in together in the Colorado State University Spur Campus, which is located on the National Western Stock Show Grounds. Because of this opportunity, we will not only be able to plan events more effectively, but we will also have the opportunity to conduct tours to the general public that educate about agriculture."

As state officers, the group will also attend the Colorado State Fair, the National Western Stock Show and travel to Indianapolis for the National FFA Convention in November.

"I am the most excited to build friendships and make memories. State officers get to meet so many members throughout the year and I cannot wait to see the members and their enthusiasm for the organization. I am really excited to build friendships with my teammates and all of the members that I meet along the way," said Boerner.

Plumb and Boerner will wrap up their year of service to the Colorado FFA Organization next year at the 95th annual State FFA Convention. From there, the two both plan to attend college and purse degrees related to agriculture.

Boerner plans to attend the University of Wyoming and major in agriculture communications.

"With this degree, I will be able to work with agriculture companies and advocate for agriculture," she said. Natali is the daughter of Rodney and Regina Boerner, Fleming.

Plumb plans to attend Northeastern Junior College next year to pursue a degree in animal science and agriculture communications. She also plans to be a part of the NJC livestock judging team.

"After I receive my associates degree, I will transfer to a university, where I will continue with the same majors and also participate on the livestock judging team. After I graduate, I want to find a career in livestock pharmaceuticals," Plumb said.

Brooke is the daughter of Jeff and Kindra Plumb, Haxtun.