WEST LAFAYETTE, Indiana (June 19, 2019)- The 2018-2019 Outstanding Service Award recipient is one that has truly left her mark on the Indiana FFA Foundation and taken it to great heights, Mrs. Karen Nelson-Heavin of Greencastle, Indiana. Karen served on the Indiana FFA Foundation Board from 2010 to 2016, she was Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Indiana FFA Foundation from 2013 to 2015. She has been successful in helping raise dollars to support FFA members from across the state and continues to be an advocate for the Foundation and annually helps during State Convention assisting sponsors during sessions. Heavin is a former member of the South Putnam FFA Chapter in District VII and served as Indiana FFA Association State President in 1991-1992. She is a recipient of the Hoosier Farmer Degree and American FFA Degree. During her illustrious career, Karen was instrumental in being a long-time substitute teacher at both South Putnam High School and Area 30 Career Center. She also was the Area 30 Career Center Pathways/ Student Services Coordinator, where she taught College and Career Readiness and English ECA. During August 2016- May 2019 Karen served at the National Career for College Costs/ Murray & Associates Education Consultant. In this role she helped exponentially with families and the college costs. Karen graduated from Franklin College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History. She served as the National Center for College Costs/ Murray & Associates Education Consultant. Karen a woman of many roles and responsibilities continues to show her passion for students and the community in which she lives. Her and her husband Anthony and two sons Garrett and Brock are active in the Putnam County area and have been great supporters of Indiana FFA both financially and through their volunteerism.
Nelson-Heavin Honored with Outstanding Service Award
Published by inffanewsroom
In 1929, Indiana FFA was founded as a youth organization for farm boys, but has grown into an organization that has something to offer everyone. Today, Indiana FFA has more than 11,000 members and is definitely making a positive impact on hundreds of communities across the state. Indiana FFA provides high school-aged students with challenging opportunities to develop leadership skills, problem-solving skills, and explore potential career opportunities. Indiana FFA members can be found not only in rural communities, but also in many suburban and urban schools in Indianapolis, Ft. Wayne, Lafayette and Beech Grove. Annually, 11 leadership conferences are offered to Indiana FFA members. These conferences, which are presented by student leaders, allow for a creative and fun way to help youth develop positive character traits and habits. Altogether there are more than 200 activities to engage FFA members. One of the FFA’s most effective and practical learning tools is the Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE) program, which allows students to apply skills they learn in the classroom. Examples of SAE programs include working in a feed mill, conducting research in a laboratory, producing vegetables, or working in agricultural communications. The employer and local agriculture education instructor supervise the work experience program and monitor the progress of the student. Currently, there are thousands of SAE projects being conducted by Indiana FFA members across the state. View all posts by inffanewsroom