International experience gives South Dakota FFA member a new perspective

Melisa Goss
Feb 17, 2025
Feb 17, 2025

FFA International (3) worked.jpg — Emily Robbins poses in Lisbon, Portugal. The SDSU sophomore visited Portugal and Spain as with the National FFA Organization's International Leadership Seminar for State Officers (ILSS).
Submitted photo

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Melisa Goss

Roman philosopher Seneca is credited with saying, “Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.”

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FFA International (4) worked.jpg — Robbins saw many acres of olive trees during her trip to Spain and Portugal. Spain is the world’s largest producer of olives, accounting for nearly 50% of global olive production.
Submitted photo

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FFA International (2) worked.jpg — Cork bales are piled up in Portugal. Learning about cork production was one of the highlights of Emily Robbins’ trip to southwestern Europe.
Submitted photo

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Melisa Goss, Assistant Editor for the Tri-State Neighbor, is a South Dakota farm girl whose love of travel has allowed her to see ag’s vital impact around the world, from America’s heartland to the rice paddies of Southeast Asia and many places in between. She makes her home in Hartford with her husband, daughter and miniature schnauzer. You can reach her at mgoss@lee.net.