Shaping the Journey 

October 30, 2025

Written By Natalie Kientzy

At Silex (Mo.) High School, it’s hard to miss the blue corduroy jackets. The majority of students don the iconic FFA uniform proudly, not just as a part of their wardrobe, but as a part of who they are. With over 80% of the student body involved in agricultural education, FFA is a cornerstone of school life. Students raise crops and animals through supervised agricultural experience (SAE) projects, compete in contests, participate in team-building activities, and serve the community through roadside cleanups, appreciation breakfasts and more. 

Guiding students through it all are ag teachers and FFA advisors Sean O’Brien and Elizabeth Kientzy, who believe the true value of ag education extends far beyond the classroom. 

O’Brien has been leading the Silex FFA Chapter and shaping the student experience for 13 years. His journey toward ag education started early in his life. He grew up immersed in agriculture and involved in 4-H and FFA. 

“I always knew I wanted to work in the ag industry, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” he said. “I studied ag education because it was such a broad path, but once I did my student teaching, I was hooked. I loved sharing my knowledge and building relationships with the students.” 

Kientzy, who joined the expanding program in 2023, took a similar route, combining a lifelong passion for education with her background in agriculture. 

“I wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember, and I grew up farming,” she said. “Once I started taking ag classes in high school, I felt called to pursue a career as an ag educator. I love teaching and agriculture, so it just made sense.” 

Under their guidance, the program has achieved remarkable success. The trap shooting team once held a nine-year state championship streak, and the chapter has produced multiple Missouri State FFA officers and earned top honors across all levels of competition. In 2024, the program celebrated a monumental victory when its Agricultural Issues Forum team placed first in the nation, a major accomplishment that highlights the real-world skills students develop in ag classrooms. 

But for O’Brien and Kientzy, awards and titles are only part of what defines success. 

“The most rewarding part of the job is being along for the journey,” O’Brien said. “Watching students grow as leaders and agriculturalists from freshman year to senior year and beyond is truly special.” 

That growth shows up in many forms, whether it’s a student stepping into a leadership role, launching a new SAE project or simply taking on more responsibility. 

“I feel proud of our program when I see someone step outside their comfort zone and start a new SAE program or give a speech for the first time,” Kientzy said. “Being an ag educator can be a lot of work, but seeing what our students accomplish makes it all worth it.” 

In a rural community like Silex, agriculture touches nearly every household in one way or another. Ag education helps students connect what they’re learning to the world around them and see where they might fit in. 

“Almost all of our students have been exposed to agriculture, even if they didn’t grow up on a farm,” Kientzy said. “So, what they’re learning in our classes can be engaging and help carry them through the rest of their lives.” 

O’Brien agreed, expanding on the importance of the program’s diversity. 

“We teach students the skills they need to work in production agriculture, but they also learn how to write a resume, manage finances, grow gardens, build things and so much more,” he said. 

That’s the heart of O’Brien and Kientzy’s work: giving students a chance to grow into skilled agriculturalists, thoughtful citizens and confident leaders, so that whether they stay in the industry or take another path, their roots in ag education will always be part of their journey.