Rachel Nobel has been awarded the prestigious Student Leadership Award by the SMT Center for her remarkable achievements and dedication to fostering leadership among her peers. Born and raised on a Christmas tree farm, Nobel’s passion for agriculture was cultivated from a young age, setting the stage for her extraordinary journey in the agricultural community.
Reflecting on her upbringing, Nobel fondly recalls the influence of her family’s Christmas tree farm, which sparked her love for agriculture. “Growing up on the Christmas Tree farm has always been an incredible experience for me,” she shared. “My grandpa started it in 1980 as something to have Christmas trees for. The family loves working on the farm.”
Nobel’s journey to leadership began in high school when she discovered the Future Farmers of America (FFA) organization. Embracing the opportunity to combine her passions with a platform for leadership, Nobel quickly rose through the ranks, earning recognition at regional, state, and national levels for her outstanding achievements in agricultural competitions.
Described by her peers and mentors as a natural leader, Nobel’s impact extends far beyond the confines of her school’s FFA chapter. “Rachel Nobel just rises to the top of everything she does,” remarked one of her teachers. “She loves people and she loves to see people being their best self.”
Throughout her tenure as an FFA officer, Nobel has spearheaded initiatives to grow the organization and empower her fellow members. Despite facing challenges such as the impact of COVID-19 on membership, Nobel’s determination and leadership have led to a significant increase in FFA participation, with over 240 active members in their agricultural classes.
Nobel’s transformation into a confident and influential leader has not gone unnoticed by her teachers and peers. “The past three years, her confidence has grown exponentially,” noted one of her teachers. “She’s been a real blessing for me, but it’s also been a privilege to have such a strong student leader teaching other people how to lead.”
Beyond her accolades and achievements, Nobel remains grounded in her commitment to honoring her family’s legacy and positively impacting the agriculture industry. “I definitely want to carry on that legacy,” she affirmed. “It’s really worthwhile, in the end, to see the impact that we can all have on the agriculture industry.”