Hi, I am Cole Baerlocher!

Growing up on my family’s wheat and cattle operation in rural Washington taught me the value of hard work, the power of community, and the beauty of storytelling in rural America. Those roots inspired me to pursue involvement within the National FFA Organization, where I was elected to serve as the 2021-2022 National FFA President. As the first Washingtonian to hold this title, I represented my state by taking a gap year to travel to 30 states and over 100,000 miles, sharing the importance of premier leadership, personal growth, and career success with more than 850,000 student members.

Upon retiring from my role as a national officer, I became a student at Texas A&M University, where I pursued a B.S. in Agricultural Communications & Journalism with a minor in International Agricultural Development. During my time as an Aggie, I worked as the News and Digital Content Assistant for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and as a Student Assistant for the Board of Regents. My experiences have prepared me to be an effective communicator who is driven by serving others.

When I am not working or studying, you could find me grabbing an iced coffee, enjoying a friendly game of pickleball, or spending time with friends and family outdoors. I am deeply passionate about building community, and I am a firm believer in expressing gratitude and giving tight hugs.