Trent McKnight: National FFA President 2000–01
Texas · No. 74 of 100 · National FFA President 2000–01
At a Glance
- Office: National FFA President, 2000–01 (No. 74 of 100)
- Home state: Texas, raised on a cattle ranch
- State office: Texas FFA vice president before his election
- Education: Oklahoma State University (agricultural economics) and the London School of Economics (comparative politics)
- Career: Rancher and businessman; appointee to the Brazos River Authority; USDA advisory committee chair
- Honors: Texas House resolution (2001); OSU CASNR Early Career Achievement Award (2018)
Trent McKnight went from a Texas cattle ranch to the national FFA presidency to a career that has combined ranching, public service on a river authority and international agriculture work. His year as president included a trip to Japan that he has described as a turning point.
A Ranch Upbringing
National FFA describes McKnight as having grown up on a cattle ranch in Texas. Before the national presidency he served as a Texas FFA state vice president and earned the American FFA Degree, according to a 2001 resolution of the Texas House of Representatives.
The Presidency, 2000–01
McKnight was studying agricultural economics at Oklahoma State University when he was elected, and he left school for the year to serve. In 2001 the 77th Texas Legislature adopted a resolution commending him for dedication and natural leadership ability as the 2000–2001 National FFA President and noting that he had been elected after serving as Texas FFA vice president.
In 2000 he traveled to Japan with the national officer team. National FFA says that his first international experience was life-changing and that it made him eager for more.
Education Abroad
A biography posted by the policy nonprofit Texas 2036, on whose board he serves, says McKnight holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural economics and comparative politics from Oklahoma State University and the London School of Economics. National FFA’s account of his later international work, titled “FFA Alum Takes Ag Ed Abroad,” ties that interest back to the officer team’s 2000 Japan trip.
Ranching, Public Service and Advisory Roles
- Oklahoma State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources honored him with its 2018 Early Career Achievement Award, describing him as a past national president of FFA and an appointee of Gov. Rick Perry to the Brazos River Authority. Its alumni board president called him a servant leader.
- OSU’s announcement also notes that he ran for a seat in the Texas Legislature in 2012.
- A speaker biography for a Farm Foundation roundtable describes him as an international agriculturalist, investor and cattle rancher who has chaired the USDA Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Advisory Committee.
- Texas 2036 lists him as a rancher with McKnight Ranch.
This page does not cover his family or residence.
Why His Story Matters
McKnight’s path illustrates the range of things a national president can do afterward: stay on the land, serve on a public water authority, advise a federal agency and work internationally, all while carrying the credibility of the blue jacket.
Sources
- Texas Legislature: H.R. No. 1178, 77th Legislature
- National FFA Organization: FFA Alum Takes Ag Ed Abroad
- Oklahoma State University: McKnight Receives CASNR Early Career Achievement Award (2018)
- Texas 2036: Trent McKnight biography
- Farm Foundation Colorado Roundtable: Trent McKnight speaker biography
- Texas FFA Association: National Officers from Texas