By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
MINNEAPOLIS - The Kansas FFA student led organization for the first time, has recently elected a State President from Minneapolis, KS since its establishment in 1928.
Lillian Hulse, incoming freshman for Kansas State University made history after the 97th annual Kansas FFA State Convention on May 28th - May 30th, 2025 by becoming the first Kansas FFA State President for the 2025-2026 tenure from Minneapolis, KS. Hulse is the President of the 2025-2026 Kansas FFA State Officer team, which was announced at the Kansas FFA State Convention at the campus of K-State.
"Becoming President was very unexpected for me," but it is an honor to be in this position," said Hulse.
Growing up
Hulse grew up on a farm with her family, where they raised commercial Hereford cattle. Since she was always around the agricultural lifestyle, Hulse found her love and interest for it. She then became involved with 4-H when she was 6 years old.
Hulse first joined Kansas FFA in the Minneapolis chapter when she was a 7th grader. Kansas FFA was that next step for her as she followed her brother's footsteps, August Hulse who was in Kansas FFA. This is where she found her own interest in career development and leadership development events, that allowed her to find her own passions for agriculture.
“The leadership aspect, allows you to meet alot of people, learn alot about agriculture and learn from others," said Hulse.
She then served as the chapter officer for Minneapolis, when she was a sophomore in high school and ran for district office. This is when Hulse realized that she really enjoyed meeting people and making an impact in the leadership role. Furthermore, Hulse then became the Minneapolis Chapter Vice President that same year and her junior year, she was elected as the President for the chapter of Minneapolis. She went on ahead and served in the Kansas FFA North Central Kansas District, which oversees 30 chapters. Hulse was the Treasurer for the district her junior year and was then elected as Vice President her senior of high school.
Throughout her journey, she found her interest in Agricultural Communications, which is a setting where FFA students listen to an individual speak about an agricultural issue and then students will write an article regarding it.
"I realized that I really love Agricultural Communications and it allowed me to start my supervised agricultural experience," said Hulse.
Hulse has written articles for “Grass and Grain” (Kansas Agriculture Newspaper) and the "Minneapolis Messenger." She has wrote stories that touch on topics on why she thinks agricultural education should be taught in grade schools in some way of form.
Voting process of becoming the first Kansas FFA State President out of Minneapolis, KS
Before she started her role as Kansas FFA State President for the 2025-2026 year, she had to go through a lengthy process during State Convention. Hulse stated that the voting process took 3 days full of interviews, speeches and activities.
"I had a busy week, but in the end it helped me work on my own communication skills," said Hulse.
According to Hulse, the voting process consisted of 12 people on a nominating committee, past state officers, advisors and agricultural industry professionals that are part of a process that includes delegates and every chapter in the state of Kansas (240 chapters).
The candidates went through many interviews (both one on one and group), speeches about a specific topic and issues regarding the agricultural industry. The nominating committee also voted and evaluated on a specific activity that was performed by the candidate and their partner. Then delegates would evaluate each candidate during a meet and greet session, which went over their personable skills and traits. Candidates were also evaluated through a parliamentary procedure and their employability skills, which is a similar to a job interview.
After the process, Hulse was then elected as the Kansas FFA State President for the 2025-2026 State Officer team.
Role of a Kansas FFA State President
Hulse has been pretty busy since she has started her presidency role. She described her role as one who will lead all of the Board of Director meetings for Kansas FFA, participating in Chapter Leadership Trainings and District Officer Conferences.
According to Hulse, Chapter Leadership Trainings are meant to help other chapters (local) across the state create their own program of activities for the year. District Officer Conferences help district officers (7 of them) learn how to facilitate their own conferences that they will hold throughout the year. Hulse will also participate in industry visits and tours as well.
What's next
Hulse is committed to attending K-State University in Manhattan, where she will be majoring in Agricultural Education and Communications. After her college career, she plans on hoping to be an agriculture teacher, writer and a Kansas FFA advisor.
"I hope to advocate and inform people about issues regarding agriculture,” said Hulse. Hopefully more people can join FFA and grow from it themselves.”
"Now with this degree that I am pursuing in agricultural education, I hope to help people become more aware of agriculture and the importance of it especially for people at a young age," said Hulse.
Hulse will continue to write for Grass and Grain during her college career.
Thoughts on FFA and Hulse's support system
Hulse could not have accomplished this achievement by herself as she thanks her family and her Minneapolis FFA agriculture teacher and advisor, Christina Wallace. She thanked her father, Joshua Hulse, mother, Melissa Hulse and brother, August Hulse. Wallace helped her practice for about 3 months before state convention, where she was elected as Kansas FFA State President.
"No matter what she (Wallace) always went out her way to make sure I succeeded and she does this for everyone too,” said Hulse. “There is no way I would be state president if it was not for her. Her and my family have always been very supportive."
Wallace had nothing but great things to say about Hulse. Both had a common experience when it came to entering a new environment, as Wallace started her teaching career in Minneapolis when Hulse entered the Minneapolis chapter in the 7th grade, after she transferred from Bennington.
“We got to journey along and figure things out together," said Wallace.
Wallace stated when she first met Hulse as a student, that she was very 'quiet,' yet very 'diligent.' She described that Hulse never let her grades falter no matter how busy she may have gotten with extracurricular activities and FFA.
As Hulse started to acclimate to the Minneapolis environment, Wallace said this is when she 'came out her shell.'
“The more I got to spend time with Lillian, the more I got to know her and we were comfortable around each other,” said Wallace. “Once you are comfortable around the people you know, then it flows over to every aspect of your life.”
Wallace commented that many teachers have said they wish more students were like Hulse. She also described that Hulse was 'very competitive' and that she wanted to compete in every contest and opportunity that was available to her.
“She (Hulse) was almost always top ten in just about everything she competed in,” said Wallace. "Literally I can count on one hand, the contests that she did not place top ten in the contests she had gone to for 4 years.”
The friendship that Hulse and Wallace have is one that is strong and keeps each other uplifted. Wallace talked about how she 'pushed her to try new things' that Hulse did not always think were her best fit. Not only did Wallace support her through thick and thin, but Hulse has been one to impact Wallace's life as well.
“There’s that bible verse that says, 'Iron Sharpens Iron' and if I can keep Lillian by my side my whole life I would be sharpest person you will ever meet,” said Wallace. “With Lillian’s incredible accomplishments and unwavering faith, it kept me so grounded and when her name got called (to be State President) I don't think I have felt that much pride in my heart for someone to be related to my job. It was proud moment for all of us at Minneapolis and especially those that have all worked closely with her."
Wallace said she 'shed tears' when Hulse became the Kansas FFA State President for the 2025-2026 year.
Hulse is the State President for Kansas FFA that consists of 13,528 members.
For more information about the largest student-led organization is the country, go to https://www.ffa.org/about/
To learn more about FFA for the state of Kansas, go to https://www.ksffa.org/about/