I am an eighth-generation farmer and attend one of Missouri's smallest public schools. I wish to become an Agriculture teacher to help keep future generations involved in and informed about agriculture. Growing up on a diversified farm, I was raised caring for my family’s land and livestock, and learned the importance of agriculture. I believe we need to teach everyone about agriculture because misconceptions are spreading quicker than ever, and I hope to help future generations stay involved in agriculture. As an agriculture educator, I will equip my students with facts about agriculture, real-life skills, and introduce them to aspects of the industry that they may not have first-hand knowledge of. Additionally, I will help students find their place in the industry. Whether that is in production, marketing, or consumption, everyone is connected to the agriculture industry. I want to create lessons that are hands-on and engaging to my students, as well as relatable to daily life. I hope my classes will teach the building blocks of many aspects of agriculture so that students may use their knowledge to become veterinarians, take over their family farm, become crop analysts, and much more. Teaching is a passion I have always had, but I decided to pursue education when I started working as an after-school elementary tutor through our Grow Your Own Teachers Club. After taking high school agriculture classes, learning more about the agriculture industry, and becoming active in my Future Farmers of America chapter, I decided to combine my two favorite interests. As a member of the Grow Your Own Teachers club, I shadowed Mrs. Brown, an agriculture teacher at a high school much larger than mine. Although I only shadowed for one day, my eyes were opened to a program that is organized differently and larger than the program I am used to. The agriculture department Mrs. Brown works in includes two agriculture educators, multiple classrooms, manages a custom metal sign business through a shop class, and serves a much larger Future Farmers of America chapter than I realized. I was then able to compare the differences between the small program I grew up in and the large program I had a behind-the-scenes look at. Mrs. Brown also answered any questions I had and was open about her opinions of female agriculture educators. She is now a close mentor of mine and encouraged me to run for a Missouri FFA State Office position. Although my passion is not in the typical classroom setting, I know I will make a positive impact on the students I teach. I will help form the next generation of agricultre leaders by introducing them to the industry that I love.

Last year, my community lost a very special person due to a work accident. Charlie Toler was a loving member of a large family, devoted agriculturalist, influential to the Dadeville 4-H club and FFA chapter, a proud Dadeville athletics supporter and youth coach, a volunteer firefighter, a listening ear, and helping hand to many. Because he greatly impacted everyone he met, the Toler Benefit was organized to give back to his family, and consisted of a meal, plus a live and silent auction. Both the Dadeville 4-H club and FFA chapter were influential parts of the “behind the scenes” for the event. Since I am active in both groups, I became very involved in the benefit. My 4-H club organized the preparation for the benefit. I helped bake cobblers that were served during the meal and also sold through the auction. On the day of the benefit, I helped collect and set up tables and chairs that were borrowed from multiple churches in my community, and decorated the school gym with a John Deere theme and photos of Charlie with his family and friends. I also donated items made in different project meetings, as well as half a beef that I had raised to be butchered. Since hundreds of auction items were donated to the benefit, I organized and documented the items to ensure the auctions went smoothly. Most tasks during the benefit were given to the Dadeville FFA chapter officer team. As an officer, I guided guests to tables once they received their meal. During the live auction, I facilitated other helpers and made sure items were being auctioned off in the correct order. After the benefit, I helped clean up the meal serving line and stored leftover food, take down the tables and chairs and load them into trucks and trailers for them to be delivered back to the churches we borrowed them from. Charlie also operated a custom baling business for other local farmers. After he passed, multiple hay fields, including his own, needed to be cut, raked, baled, and stored. To solve this problem, local producers came together to help finish the work that needed to be done. I was able to help out by moving hay bales into organized groups to be stacked onto trailers and then hauled onto other farms. Through the benefit, I was able to serve the community that supports me while representing organizations that I love. The Toler Benefit also directly impacted and served a family that I care for. I volunteered an entire day to work for the Toler Benefit, but dedicated much more time to preparing for the event ahead of that day. Additionally, I donated eight hours of labor during the live auction that I served later in the year. I lightened the workload of Charlie’s family and closest friends. I appreciated the time and efforts that Charlie dedicated to the organizations and activities that I enjoy, and I am glad I was able to be a part the event created to give back. This benefit was modeled after the Bushey Benefit, which happened the year before and also required a large amount of volunteer work. The itinerary of the Toler Benefit was very similar to the Bushey Benefit, however, we made changes that helped the second benefit go smoother. Just as we used the past benefit to create the Toler Benefit, future benefits or fundraisers can be modeled after the Toler Benefit. This labor also brought in extra income to the Toler family and ensured the hay fields could be continued to be cut the next year.

I am an eighth generation farmer from one of the smallest public schools in Missouri. I enjoy keeping myself busy with the many extracurricular activities I am involved in and am proud of my successes. I plan to major in agriculture education, teach in a rural high school, and continue farming. I want to become an agriculture educator to help keep future generations involved and informed about agriculture. Growing up on a diversified farm, I was raised caring for my family’s land and livestock, and learned the importance of agriculture. Teaching is a passion I have always had, but I decided to pursue education when I started working as an after-school elementary tutor through our Grow Your Own Teachers Club. After joining FFA, I began learning from and shadowing ag teachers, and decided to combine my two favorite interests. I believe that we need to teach everyone about agriculture because misconceptions are spreading quicker than ever, and I hope to help future generations stay involved in agriculture. As an agriculture educator, I will equip my students with facts about agriculture, real-life skills, and introduce them to aspects of the industry that they may not have first-hand knowledge of. After I graduate college, I would like to buy my own farmland and continue farming with my family, and eventually, raise my own family. However, I have other goals that I would need to achieve along the way. A mid term goal I made for myself is to graduate high school with as many Dual Credits as possible. These college credit courses cost half the price of seated college courses, and have allowed me to save money and potentially graduate college sooner. Another goal I have set for myself is to run for a Missouri FFA State Officer position. This process will include multiple interviews, a written exam, extemporaneous speaking, and more. I will be working with a mentor, who will help me sharpen my interview skills and expand my extemporaneous speaking abilities. There will be lots of preparation and dedication needed, but I am looking forward to working towards this goal. After high school, I plan to attend the University of Missouri in Columbia, major in Agriculture Education, and teach secondary students in a rural high school. As an agriculture teacher, I will help students find their place in the industry, whether that is in production, marketing, or consumption. I want to create lessons that are hands-on and engaging to my students, as well as relatable to daily life. I hope my classes will teach the building blocks of many aspects of agriculture so that students may use their knowledge to become veterinarians, take over their family farm, care for their family’s livestock, and much more. I would help form the next generation of leaders by introducing them to the industry that I love. By accomplishing these goals, I will save money, become more knowledgeable, serve an organization that I love, and achieve my goal of owning and operating my family farm.

To me, success is not found in awards, professional acknowledgments, or good deeds. Success is the feeling or understanding you find after the effort and time you dedicate pays off. Sometimes, this hard work can be recognized with an award, which can also bring a sense of pride to your success. However, success itself can not be accepted until you realize you have achieved a goal you set. My mindset is encouraging and positive. Sadly, this is a different mindset than my peers because there is no acceptance of leaders who are willing to take a step away from their position to serve. I believe my mindset will continue to bring me success because I have already seen how my passion benefits others, and that is the success I wish to have.

“I believe in the future of agriculture” is the first fragment of each paragraph in The National FFA Organization’s creed, written by E. M. Tiffany. This is also a quote I live by. Additionally, I have experienced the effects agriculture has on communities firsthand. I believe that agriculture supports every community in America. U.S. Farmers represent two percent of the U.S. population, however, they work to feed the entire population and provide an oversupply that our nation exports. From studying plants to working in the food industry, agriculture comes in many forms. By believing in the future of agriculture, I created a promise to promote agriculture and execute positive agriculture practices. Most of my community’s members either work agriculture-related jobs or have a strong background in agriculture. My community is also supportive of our Future Farmers of America chapter and 4-H club, and often volunteer their time and knowledge or help fund our events. I owe my passion to advocate for agriculture to these organizations. Growing up in 4-H, I learned the basics of the livestock industry. I was taught how to properly care for livestock, the benefits of using animal supplements, how to care for wildlife, and more hands-on skills that I continue to use. Once I became an FFA member, I found my voice in agriculture by participating in speaking contests, becoming a leader in my chapter and area, and participating in academies designed to develop positive and effective leadership. Agriculture is also a common interest I have with other students in my school. My high school has 58 students, and 47 are FFA members. In our ag classes, we cover a wide variety of topics. These can range from the basics of cattle handling to fur trapping. Both of these organizations give back to the community that serves us with volunteer work. Although The National FFA Organization’s creed was adopted almost 100 years ago, it still holds true. Similarly, I know that my passion and commitment to agriculture will continue. I am an eighth generation farmer, and I have the pleasure of continuing my family’s legacy by helping on our Century Farm. In college, I plan to major in agriculture education and become a high school ag advisor. The current shortage of agriculture educators will harm our future farms, leading to hurt the national population. By dedicating my time to the agriculture classroom, I will help ensure our future generations will be equipped with the powerful knowledge of agriculture. To continue my love for farming, I plan to buy farmland and contribute to my family’s production agriculture business.

As an eighth-generation farmer who was raised on the land homesteaded by my ancestors, I know and understand the value of keeping agriculture alive for our future. My upbringing has given me a drive to preserve our way of life, as well as advocate to others who are disconnected from agriculture. My family develops specialty replacement heifers and sells them through a local program’s biannual sale. However, with each herd of heifers that we breed, a few heifers do not conceive. I have created my own business by buying some of the open heifers from my parents, feeding them out, and then selling beef to my customer base. I use quality genetics and a custom grain ration that I feed for 90 days, ensuring that my calves are finished to their full potential. I work closely with a local meat processing plant that allows a 30 day carcass hang time and offers excellent customer service. I explain to potential customers how and why the overall quality grade and the marbling of my carcasses adds value to my product. I have developed a niche market of people who love to BBQ and smoke meat. They appreciate high quality meat and the freedom to customize their cuts. Also, they enjoy having a freezer full of farm raised beef at their convenience. These customers give the best referrals and are understanding when I have to raise my prices due to increased inputs. This summer, I was selected to attend the Missouri FFA HYPE Academy. Open to the top thirty seniors in the state, it is designed to strengthen leadership, agriculture advocacy, communication skills, and gives participants the opportunity to speak with legislators about current agricultural issues. We discussed many hot topics, including the Farm Bill, foreign land ownership in America, and EPA emission laws. I presented my testimony in a formal legislative hearing to urban Missouri legislators, where they gained a better understanding of how laws that are being crafted have a direct impact on Missouri’s family farms. It was an amazing opportunity that I have not taken for granted. Since I was young, I knew I wanted to be a teacher, and once I joined FFA I knew I needed to teach agriculture. My life is so tightly intertwined with agriculture that I can not picture my future without it. I believe there is a place for everyone in agriculture. As an FFA advisor, I would help students find their place in the industry, whether that is in production, marketing, or consumption. I would be helping to form the next generation of leaders for the industry that I love.

As an eighth-generation farmer who was raised on the land homesteaded by my ancestors, I know and understand the value of keeping agriculture alive for our future. My upbringing has given me a drive to preserve our way of life, as well as advocate to others who are disconnected from agriculture. My family develops specialty replacement heifers and sells them through a local program’s biannual sale. However, with each herd of heifers that we breed, a few heifers do not conceive. I have created my own business by buying some of the open heifers from my parents, feeding them out, and then selling beef to my customer base. I use quality genetics and a custom grain ration that I feed for 90 days, ensuring that my calves are finished to their full potential. I work closely with a local meat processing plant that allows a 30 day carcass hang time and offers excellent customer service. I explain to potential customers how and why the overall quality grade and the marbling of my carcasses adds value to my product. I have developed a niche market of people who love to BBQ and smoke meat. They appreciate high quality meat and the freedom to customize their cuts. Also, they enjoy having a freezer full of farm raised beef at their convenience. These customers give the best referrals and are understanding when I have to raise my prices due to increased inputs. This summer, I was selected to attend the Missouri FFA HYPE Academy. Open to the top thirty seniors in the state, it is designed to strengthen leadership, agriculture advocacy, communication skills, and gives participants the opportunity to speak with legislators about current agricultural issues. We discussed many hot topics, including the Farm Bill, foreign land ownership in America, and EPA emission laws. I presented my testimony in a formal legislative hearing to urban Missouri legislators, where they gained a better understanding of how laws that are being crafted have a direct impact on Missouri’s family farms. It was an amazing opportunity that I have not taken for granted. Since I was young, I knew I wanted to be a teacher, and once I joined FFA I knew I needed to teach agriculture. My life is so tightly intertwined with agriculture that I can not picture my future without it. I believe there is a place for everyone in agriculture. As an FFA advisor, I would help students find their place in the industry, whether that is in production, marketing, or consumption. I would be helping to form the next generation of leaders for the industry that I love.