Isabelle Warner recently graduated from Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, South Dakota, and is now a Product Support Specialist for FieldReveal in Watertown. A 2019 graduate of West Lyon High School, she is a wonderful example of how growing up on a farm and taking advantage of agriculture and leadership opportunities laid the path for her success.

Q. Please describe your work responsibilities as a Product Support Specialist.
A. My daily duties include answering phone calls and emails relating to customer support questions or issues and working with the product development team to implement any changes I hear from the customers using our software. In addition, I help on our mapping center team as needed, such as updating field boundaries, cutting satellite imagery of fields, and other duties. One other thing I do is assist with promotional events and training as needed.

Q. When you were younger, what made you want to join 4-H, FFA, and FCCLA?
A. My parents heavily influenced the decision to join 4-H. As I got into 4-H, I really enjoyed raising and showing livestock and participating
in public speaking events. Because I enjoyed public speaking, I decided to join my school’s FCCLA chapter, as there were many opportunities to utilize my speaking skills in that organization. A few years later, I decided to join my high school FFA chapter. I joined FFA because I had a passion for agriculture, which is rooted from my involvement in 4-H and my family farm.

Q. What did you enjoy most about 4-H and FFA, and what would you say to younger students who are considering joining those activities?
A. The most significant advice I could give to a 4-H or FFA member is to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way and never be afraid to fail. To grow as a person and as a leader, you need to jump out of your comfort zone and try something new. In addition, you may enjoy something you did not know you were even interested in.

Q. In what ways did FCCLA, 4H, FFA, and other Ag activities prepare you for your job?
A. All the activities I have participated in have given me lifelong skills that I still carry with me today. 4-H, FCCLA, and FFA have taught me tremendous leadership and communication skills that will stay ingrained in my brain forever. In addition, they taught me the importance of networking, and networking is an essential aspect of my job.

Q. Who are the people who have helped you succeed in your Ag-related achievements?
A. The two people who have helped me succeed the most are definitely my parents, Ryan and Melanie Warner. Growing up on a farm, my parents gave me a love for agriculture like none other, and they taught me hard work and dedication can take a person a long way. They have always been there for me and are the first people to help me out when the going gets rough.

Another person who has helped me succeed in life is my high school FCCLA advisor, Kristin Rockhill. Kristin has always pushed me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to be better than I ever thought possible. FCCLA is not an agricultural organization, but with Kristin’s guidance, I have found that I can take my passion for agriculture anywhere.

Q. What else would you like to say about 4-H, FFA, and other ag activities or experiences?
A. The only other thing I have to add is never to be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and find people who support you. You can meet some amazing people and learn amazing things by stepping out of your box, and a sound support system will encourage you to step out of your box.