The 10 year throwbacks have filled social media in the last week and I’m ready to throw it back too. BUT I’m just throwing it back to four years ago, when my agri story started.
In the 8th grade I joined my first agriculture education class because all my other friends were doing it, and because I heard you get to miss a lot of school for trips. It sounded like a win win opportunity for me. I did not grow up around agriculture. I live in a very rural area of the state of Arkansas, but I’d never been a real part of any Agriculture experience. Now after four years of agri classes I look at my future and I hope to spend the rest of my life dedicated to Agriculture.
School started my eighth grade year and I was in all girls’ class with all my best girl friends, something very rare in any agri department. I hit the jackpot of all agri classes and departments. Our teacher Mr. Wiedower, was and is, very passionate about FFA, showing livestock, and agriculture. He is one of three agri teachers I have at Clinton. Our team of teachers includes, Mr. Chad Mooney, who is the man in charge, Mr. Kori Kimes who can build anything on Pinterest, and former Arkansas FFA President Mr. Justin Wiedower.
We started our eighth grade year learning about the history of FFA, an organization that would eventually become my favorite part of highschool. We followed with mini CDE (Career Development Events) to test out the different contest we could do in the spring semester. We tried everything from diary to agronomy, but in the spring I landed on the Vet Science Team. We studied all kinds of animal breeds, vet tools, test questions, and hands on tests to display our knowledge of the Veterinary Science field. Although we weren’t all that successful that year, it was then that my interest sparked.
Going into my freshman year I knew I wanted to be as involved in FFA and my local chapter as possible. I was in a speaking contest as a part of the CCM team and I served as our creed speaker. We won our sub area and qualified for district, but thanks to the flu over spring break, we didn’t make it past the district contest. As far as CDE’s go, I was back on the Vet Science team looking to qualify for state this time. I got a bit of a late start that year because I had first tried out the Agronomy team. You see agronomy is Clinton FFA’s dynasty. We have a whole wall of plaques with “ Agronomy State Champions” in our building. It’s a tradition to be apart of that team. It wasn’t my destiny that year though, I wasn't ready, so I went back to what I knew, Vet Science. Again, we didn’t place high enough to make it to state.
I ended my freshman year applying to be a chapter officer the next year, and in complete love with this organization founded by farmers. I started my sophomore year as our chapter reporter, very excited to go to work for our organization. I joined the Parliamentary Procedures team and became the Farm Bureau Discussion Meet contestant. I worked harder than I have in any other season of my life to be successful at these contest and as a chapter officer. Mr. Mooney spent countless hours investing in helping me learn the difference between red and white wheat, how to grain grade, perfecting machinery ID, recognizing plant diseases, and formulating talking points.
After months of work, studying thousands of pieces of agronomy and discussion meet material, it really paid off.
My sophomore year I became a part of Clinton FFA’s dynasty of Agronomy state champions. Three girls and I were the “girls on a mission” and we completed it successfully. We now proudly wear state champion rings to prove it too. I competed in the state Discussion Meet contest and placed second and won some scholarship money. I finished the year with our annual fundraiser auction and awards banquet where I really felt most at home surrounded by people supporting all my chapters endeavors in Agriculture.
Now it’s my junior year and after spending a week this summer at Arkansas FFA Leadership Conference, National FFA Convention, showing my first livestock animal, and starting to study for this years run at another state champion title or two, I couldn’t be more excited to spend another year completed immersed in Agriculture.
I’ve grown as a leader, a speaker, and as a person, as I’ve found this passion in the most unexpected of places, Agriculture. As a part of loving to B EVERYTHING, I love that agriculture has opened the door to such a diverse groups of people and experiences. There’s no limit to how much or how diverse you can be.
Fun Fact: My Agri teachers call me “Princess” but they still expected me to shovel the goat manure anyway.
XOXO,
Brooke <3
コメント