Bobbi Jo Raffetto of Boyd, was selected to receive the Honorary American FFA Degree.

This award is given to those who advance agricultural education and FFA through outstanding personal commitment. The National FFA Organization works to enhance the lives of youth through agricultural education. Without the efforts of highly dedicated individuals, thousands of young people would not be able to achieve the success that, in turn, contributes directly to the overall wellbeing of the nation.

The Honorary American FFA Degree is an opportunity to recognize those who have gone beyond valuable daily contributions to make an extraordinary long-term difference in the lives of students, inspiring confidence in a new generation of agriculturists. Members of the National FFA Organization’s board of directors approved the nomination.

Raffetto will receive the award during the 2020 National FFA Convention & Expo, to be held virtually, in October. All recipients will receive a plaque and medal, and their names will be permanently recorded as recipients of the highest FFA honor.

Bobbi Jo’s interest in agriculture started in high school, where she spent time in FFA and served as an officer of her chapter. It was in FFA that she learned about different agriculture- based career paths, which led her to Food Science. After graduating with a degree in Food Science & Technology from the University of Wisconsin River Falls in 1996, Bobbi Jo joined Kerry. Building on a foundation of science, she started her career in one of Kerry’s manufacturing sites focusing on quality and operations. Her professional passion is rooted in leading and developing early career employees, bringing new and innovative products to market, and engaging with students to energize & encourage them in areas of study that support agriculture.

Raffetto lives in Boyd with her husband Louie, daughter Allison and son Dominic.

Raffetto, Sr. Vice President of Operations at Kerry, has been a National FFA Sponsors Board Member representing Kerry Taste & Nutrition since 2017. She served as a member of the Executive Committee from 2019-2020.

Bobbi Jo’s daughter Allison is a Senior at the UW-River Falls pursuing a degree in Food Science & Technology with a plan to graduate in May of 2021.