For Riessen, FFA and a passion for farming are providing a bright future
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-Submitted photo
Kaitlyn Riessen and her fiance Carter Hoefling plan to continue growing their cow-calf and row crop operation near Battle Creek.
- Kaitlyn Riessen

-Submitted photo
Kaitlyn Riessen and her fiance Carter Hoefling plan to continue growing their cow-calf and row crop operation near Battle Creek.
BATTLE CREEK — Kaitlyn Riessen, 21, saw traveling for Future Farmers of America (FFA) conventions as an investment in herself, her family’s farm, and community.
The daughter of Brian and Kari Riessen, she grew up on their farm southeast of Battle Creek. “I attended a state or national FFA convention every year of high school while competing in my FFA events,” said Riessen. “State conventions were in Ames and national convention was located in Indianapolis.
During these trips, I learned several things about FFA and the agricultural industry.
“FFA and its events taught and strengthened many personal and business skills that will help me for the rest of my life. Some of those skills include the ability to work well as a team, communicate well with others, speak publicly with confidence, and how to problem solve fficiently.”
Riessen competed in parliamentary procedure, conduct of meetings, greenhand and chapter exams, agricultural business, marketing competitions, and agriculture quiz bowl.

Kaitlyn Riessen
“My favorite and most challenging event was the ag business and marketing competition.
During this event I was quizzed individually and as part of a team over agriculture business knowledge,” she said. “For the marketing section, our team had to create a marketing plan for an item that was only presented to us at the time of the competition.”
Riessen is a 2020 graduate of Odebolt Arthur-Battle Creek Ida Grove (OABCIG) High School.
While at OABCIG, she earned both the Iowa and American FFA degrees.
“Achieving these degrees are a big honor in FFA and shows that the member is dedicated to FFA and has made significant accomplishments in the agricultural industry,” said Riessen. “The Iowa degree has to be earned before the American degree. The American degree is the highest award a member can receive in FFA. Only 2% of FFA members earn this award.”
Riessen is the first OABCIG student to earn the American degree. These degrees are obtained by completing Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE).
Riessen’s SAE was caring for a cow-calf operation.
“When I started my project, I had 12 head of cattle that I calved out and raised until they were ready for market. There were several other requirements for the project, such as financial and animal bookkeeping and community service hours.
“This project helped me fund my college expenses and allowed me to increase my row crop and cow-calf operations along with the help of my parents, my grandparents, older brother Trey, and my fiance, Carter Hoefling. Carter and I now have 50 head of cattle as well as rent crop ground 50/50 with Trey and his wife, Katie. Without my FFA project and the support from my family, I would not have been able to accomplish what I have today.”
After graduating from OABCIG, Riessen attended college at Northwest Missouri State University (NWMSU), where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree (magna cum laude) in agricultural business, graduating Dec. 9, 2022. She credits FFA for offering the opportunity to take college classes in high school, allowing her to graduate from NWMSU in just two and a half years.
Riessen began her career at Shelby County State Bank (SCSB) as a loan officer on Dec. 19, 2022.
“I’m currently still training but will eventually have my own clients,” said Riessen.
“Being a loan officer has allowed me to put my love for agriculture and finance together to create my dream job. I’m able to help others who, like me, desire to achieve their dreams in the agricultural industry.”
FFA, Riessen said, also emphasized volunteer work both in and outside of the organization. She worked at the local food pantry, noting it was a “very humbling experience.” In addition, she volunteered at her church and helped organize Battle Creek’s 4th of July Celebration for many years.
“FFA also helped to prepare me for this career by pushing me to be very involved in the community,” said Riessen. “Being highly involved in the community is one of SCSB’s main goals, and I’m glad I can contribute. FFA also supported my career by providing local and national scholarships toward my college tuition costs.”
Riessen and her fiance Hoefling are planning a June wedding, and see a bright future ahead.
“Carter and I will continue to grow our current cow-calf and row crop operation,” said Riessen. “We recently renovated an old barn for calving on our new home place and hope to build yards for feeder cattle in the upcoming years.
“We will encourage our children to be involved in FFA and the agricultural industry. I love that the FFA organization allows kids from every background to learn about how agriculture affects the world. FFA had an important impact on both Carter and me, and I would love for my kids to experience that impact as well.”