What started with farm cats and combine rides at her grandparents’ place has now led an Early teenager to the top of Iowa FFA.
Nineteen‑year‑old Nora Pickhinke of Early has been elected the 2026–2027 Iowa FFA State President, representing more than 20,000 members across the state.
Pickhinke grew up in Early and was active in the Ridge View FFA chapter, but she didn’t come from a farm background. She says her earliest connection to agriculture came from spending time just outside of the Sac County community.
That early exposure eventually turned into a deep interest in animals — especially horses. Pickhinke says that passion became one of the biggest stepping‑stones in her FFA journey.
She bought her own horse in high school and began showing at both the county and state levels. She also worked for two years at a boarding facility in Holstein, caring for horses, exercising them, and doing daily barn work. She says those hands-on experiences helped her understand responsibility, animal care, and the work behind agriculture.
Pickhinke says another turning point came when her FFA advisor pushed her into a leadership development event she didn’t think she could do.
One of those opportunities was her supervised agricultural experience — a radio segment with Storm Lake Radio called “Fridays with FFA,” where she interviewed members from across the region.
Pickhinke served this past year as the Northwest State Vice President. As State President, she’ll help guide the officer team and support chapters across Iowa.
She’ll also spend much of the year traveling to chapter visits, banquets, and conferences — all while balancing college. Pickhinke is a freshman at Iowa State University in Ames, double‑majoring in ag business and economics. She says juggling school and state office can be challenging, but she’s learned how to make it work.
Looking ahead, Pickhinke says she doesn’t have a set career path yet — but she’s confident agriculture will be part of it.
This summer, she’ll stay in Ames, working toward her American FFA Degree — an honor earned by fewer than 1 percent of members nationwide.
