PORTLAND, Ore.—Stoel Rives LLP, an AmLaw 200 firm, is pleased to announce that the National FFA Organization (formerly known as Future Farmers of America) has chosen to recognize Kirk Maag with an Honorary American FFA Degree. Maag was also awarded an Honorary State FFA Degree earlier this year by the Oregon FFA Association.
The Honorary American FFA Degree celebrates individuals who have provided exceptional service on a national level to agriculture, agricultural education, or FFA. Maag, who co-leads Stoel Rives’ Agribusiness, Food, Beverage, and Timber industry group, has been heavily involved with the organization on multiple levels since he joined it as a high school student in 1996; it is one of his many deep roots in Oregon agriculture.
“Aside from my family and the lessons I learned working on my family’s farm in eastern Oregon, FFA has been the most important and significant contributor to my personal and professional development. Through FFA, I gained lifelong friends and mentors and a deep appreciation for the agriculture industry; I’m deeply honored to receive this recognition,” Maag said. “FFA provided a strong foundation to support my career and passion for the agriculture industry, and I’m proud to have the opportunity to give back to the organization and to work alongside the next generation of leaders within FFA. I feel inspired and confident in our future—particularly here in Oregon where the future of agriculture is so bright.”
Maag has held several FFA leadership positions over the years and has helped build financial support for the Oregon FFA Association statewide. His FFA leadership spans multiple positions. Maag took a gap year between high school and college to serve as a state officer for the Oregon FFA Association. He now serves as Chair of the Oregon FFA Joint Board and is the immediate past-Chair of the Board of Directors for the Oregon FFA Foundation. Maag also serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Cultivating Change Foundation—a national non-profit, founded by former FFA members, with a mission to value and elevate LGBTQ+ agriculturists through advocacy, education, and community.
“Kirk Maag has truly provided exceptional service to agriculture, agricultural education, and the FFA throughout his professional career,” Oregon FFA CFO Phil Ward said. “As a student, Kirk Maag was deeply impacted by his experiences as an FFA member. As an adult, he has striven to repay that impact in service not just to the FFA, but to the agriculture and natural resource industries so important to this state and nation. He is a true giver, server, and leader, and has made a difference for FFA at the local, state, and national level.”
Kjer Kizer, who served as a state officer with Maag and who is now the Director of Employee and Partner Relations at Veterinary Service Inc., commented that “Oregon FFA and Oregon agriculture are stronger because of the contributions made by Kirk. [His] passion for volunteerism, inclusion, education, and high achievement have made him one of the most influential and well-respected individuals in [the Oregon FFA Association].”
“Kirk’s passion for the ag industry and the mentoring of young leaders is clear to all who have had the pleasure of meeting him. He works tirelessly within our firm and the Oregon community to foster a strong community to support our vital agricultural industry. We at Stoel Rives applaud and echo the FFA in their recognition of his leadership and impact; we look forward to the coming months and years as we overcome our challenges together,” Stoel Rives’ Firmwide Managing Partner Melissa Jones said.
Maag’s practice involves advising clients in natural resource industries, including timber and forest products companies, agribusinesses, water suppliers, and manufacturers. He advises those clients on issues related to water rights, farmland and timberland transactions, protected species, and solid waste regulations.