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Photo courtesy of Beech Creek resident Blaine L. Walliser, a recent graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology, also recently earned his FFA degree, the highest degree awarded by Future Farmers of America.
WILLIAMSPORT — When Blaine L. Walliser crossed the stage at Pennsylvania Institute of Technology’s commencement ceremony on Dec. 16, it signaled that he had earned his second degree in as many weeks.
The Beech Creek resident graduated from Penn College with an associate’s degree in business administration. In early November, he received his American FFA degree at the Future Farmers of America National Conference.
As the highest degree attainable in FFA, it demonstrates a member’s dedication to their local chapter and state association. This demonstrates the effort our members put into their supervised farming experience and the outstanding leadership ability and community involvement they have demonstrated.
Walliser is a graduate of Sugar Valley Rural Charter School in Loganton and joined the school’s FFA chapter in seventh grade.
“As I gained more insight into the program, I realized how beneficial it was not only academically, but also to my life,” Walliser said. “I stayed involved and attended as many FFA events and competitions as possible.”
In 12th grade, he served as branch president.
His supervised farming experience includes “entrepreneurial experience” in the pig farming industry, which he established by exhibiting pigs at the Clinton County Fair while participating in 4-H, and employment as a livestock assistant at Dotterer Dairy Co. Both included work experience. his 1,200-cow dairy farm in Mill Hall;
“These SAEs needed to demonstrate the various learning objectives planned and the results each year,” Walizer explained. “In addition, to qualify for this award, you must meet some significant financial requirements.” (Members must be earning and productively investing money.)
Her work at Sugar Valley Regional Charter School earned her both a state degree and an American degree in 2022. All that was left was to document it.
Walliser is one of 82 Pennsylvanians to earn a USA FFA degree at this year’s national competition.
Although his involvement as an FFA member ended with the completion of his degree, he plans to continue supporting his high school chapter and state association as an alumnus.
“Joining FFA is probably one of the greatest things you can do,” Walliser said. “FFA covers a wide range of fields, including science, technology, engineering and mathematics, so you don’t have to be directly involved in agriculture itself. They all play an important role in the agricultural industry.”
The recent graduate plans to stay in the area and work on some of his investments and ideas before heading west to gain new job experience and then immerse himself in the business field.
“I have some great ideas and am working to make them a reality, but it requires me to look in other areas and make new connections,” he said. . “I plan to come back in the future and pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration.”
Walliser had been considering attending Penn College for years.
“We wanted a place that was all-encompassing and gave students everything they need to succeed in the modern world,” Walliser said. “The University of Pennsylvania was an easy decision for me, especially since I get to work and commute every day. I’m a farmer, so I’m very supportive of contractors, but at the end of the day, farming is a business. To be successful in today’s world, it is essential to build a solid foundation of understanding business, especially if you want to become a strategic player.”
In addition to his academic career and involvement with FFA, Walliser serves on the board of the Clinton County Farm Bureau and was recently appointed as the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Young Agricultural Professional District 6 Leader. District 6 includes Center, Clinton and Lycoming counties.
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