I am interested in pursuing a career in Agriculture Education because of many teachers but one specifically. At my high school, agriculture and FFA is a small part of the student population but those that are involved are dedicated to the chapter. This is partly due to one of our two teacher named Mrs. Grantham. She has been the only consistent Agriculture teacher I have had my high school career as we have had a vacancy twice for the other position in four years: and we are forever grateful for her commitment. FFA is a very time-consuming group especially if you are an officer. It takes lots of planning, attendance, and socializing. Going into high school, I was very shy and wouldn't speak up most of the time. I was an officer in middle school but there really isn't all that much to it unlike high school. FFA is a student run organization, and they take that very seriously. When it came to applying to be an officer, there really wasn't much thought as to why I wanted to be an officer I just knew I had to be. To this day I still cannot answer quite why. I like to think it was fate as to becoming the person am today. To give go into more detail as to why Mrs. Grantham has changed my life and has affected my career choice, let me give some background. My father has been sick for a long time with the "big C" as some call it. He cannot work and our financial situation is not the most frugal. To support myself I have worked odd jobs that still involved by interest of horses and agriculture. Being my teacher and advisor, I've had to talk to Mrs. Grantham in case something was to happen, and she always has offered a supporting ear. Knowing the situation, she offered me a job on her family's farm. After some time and convincing I finally took her offer. It was only five minutes from my house and my "boss'' is her husband's cousin. To this day I still work there and plan to until I move to college. I have learned an abundance about farming and agriculture by working here and continue to do so every day. Thanks to her, I am now doing much better for myself and have grown to really be a part of a good work environment and family. Giving me a job is not the only reason why she has changed my life. She also is just a great teacher. Everyone has a different definition a good teacher. Mine is someone who can learn with the students, encourages them to become a better version of themselves, and actually enjoys what they teach. I have this definition mostly because of her. Her inquisitive questions have a way of promoting students' interest and get them to communicate about what they like without them being bashful. She uses situational awareness to learn her student's personality and treats them like s real person while also engaging them into class activities that may not always be their favorite. Earing her approval is difficult, and she holds her officers to a high standard which makes us even better students and people. When I expressed my interest in teaching agriculture, she was the first to support it. She talked to me and gave me emails to surround school to shadow under their own agriculture teachers. Because of her effort I can now safely say this is a career I wish to pursue.

In school, I am focusing on pursing an Agriculture Education degree. My goal is to impact students the same way that I was impacted while in middle and high school. Throughout my years in FFA, I have learned more about the world and about myself than I would have without it. I have learned my passion for animals, education, and overall agriculture. It is because of my current agriculture teacher that I have the job that I have now. I currently work as a helper on her family's farm called Tudor Hall Produce. Tudor Hall is one of the oldest generational and operational farms in America. Currently, it farms vegetables in their fields and four operational green houses as well as a small rotation of hogs, poultry, and cattle. This farm has taught me the meaning of hard work through long days and challenging tasks. My interests of agriculture have only been expanded here, and new experiences has only made me want a career relating to agriculture even more. The farm makes most of its income by farmers markets as well. I have helped with these markets and have made valuable connection to those who purchase from us. At these markets, I have also learned that the general public is mostly unaware of simple principles that are common to agriculture. For example, I have spoken an alarming amount of people that believe that dairy and beef cattle are the same. Another common misconception is that layer hens and boilers used for meat are two different species as well. Obviously, these comparisons are different but show that much of the population lack a basic education in what goes onto their plates. By choosing a career in agriculture education I hope to create better educated students and hopefully bring students up in the way I was to love such an industry. By understanding that not many are not interested in learning about the world of agriculture it gives the opportunity for those that are to experience what the program and industry has to offer. In my area, we have many great educators that are known for their work ethic and effort in education. Some include Mr. Fincham who is known for his humor and crazy stories, Mrs. Marstiller who's known for her work with HBE hogs and greenhouse, Mr. Butts who is renounced for his students' winning competitions on the state and national level, and our own Mrs. Grantham who is known for his detailed lessons and supporting her students in and out of the class. These are some of the other many that are dear to their students. Each of these teachers I have had the privilege of spending time in and out of the class with. They are such kind and knowledgeable people of their industry, and all share their passion in their unique ways. I hope to be the type of people they are through learning and working. I can confidently say that FFA and Vocational agriculture is one of my passions in life and I hope to be able share that passion through teaching in Agriculture Education. I believe education in agriculture is important so students can become well rounded and maybe just a little more knowledgeable in what's on their plate and also maybe I can find those few students that also love agriculture.

In school, I am focusing on pursing an Agriculture Education degree. My goal is to impact students the same way that I was impacted while in middle and high school. Throughout my years in FFA, I have learned more about the world and about myself than I would have without it. I have learned my passion for animals, education, and overall agriculture. It is because of my current agriculture teacher that I have the job that I have now. I currently work as a helper on her family's farm called Tudor Hall Produce. Tudor Hall is one of the oldest generational and operational farms in America. Currently, it farms vegetables in their fields and four operational green houses as well as a small rotation of hogs, poultry, and cattle. This farm has taught me the meaning of hard work through long days and challenging tasks. My interests of agriculture have only been expanded here, and new experiences has only made me want a career relating to agriculture even more. The farm makes most of its income by farmers markets as well. I have helped with these markets and have made valuable connection to those who purchase from us. At these markets, I have also learned that the general public is mostly unaware of simple principles that are common to agriculture. For example, I have spoken an alarming amount of people that believe that dairy and beef cattle are the same. Another common misconception is that layer hens and boilers used for meat are two different species as well. Obviously, these comparisons are different but show that much of the population lack a basic education in what goes onto their plates. By choosing a career in agriculture education I hope to create better educated students and hopefully bring students up in the way I was to love such an industry. By understanding that not many are not interested in learning about the world of agriculture it gives the opportunity for those that are to experience what the program and industry has to offer. In my area, we have many great educators that are known for their work ethic and effort in education. Some include Mr. Fincham who is known for his humor and crazy stories, Mrs. Marstiller who's known for her work with HBE hogs and greenhouse, Mr. Butts who is renounced for his students' winning competitions on the state and national level, and our own Mrs. Grantham who is known for his detailed lessons and supporting her students in and out of the class. These are some of the other many that are dear to their students. Each of these teachers I have had the privilege of spending time in and out of the class with. They are such kind and knowledgeable people of their industry, and all share their passion in their unique ways. I hope to be the type of people they are through learning and working. I can confidently say that FFA and Vocational agriculture is one of my passions in life and I hope to be able share that passion through teaching in Agriculture Education. I believe education in agriculture is important so students can become well rounded and maybe just a little more knowledgeable in what's on their plate and also maybe I can find those few students that also love agriculture and show them a world that they can grow in.