Hometown: Paris, AR
Briefly describe your role:
Leading, guiding, and supporting the members of Arkansas FFA. Always advocating for agriculture and offering support to the agriculture industry.
Q: What's your favorite part of your position?
A: Teaching and influencing the members of the association.
Q: What motivates you to achieve success in your FFA career?
A: I have had the opportunity to see how much of an impact agriculture has on everything. I want to give the same opportunity to students. Everyone should be able to see the reason agriculture is so important.
Q: Describe a challenge you've overcome in this role.
A: I was not raised in agriculture. Although I am a ‘nontraditional’ ag student, I pushed past the stereotypes and achieved my goals within the industry. When I started in ag, I didn’t understand much of what was happening and was constantly seen as incapable. I looked past the people who doubted me and am fortunate to be in the position I’m in today.
Q: What led you to take on this position?
A: I happened to be put into an agricultural education class during my sophomore year of high school and have stuck with it since then.
Q: What has been a defining moment in your life?
A: The day I was elected for state office I finally felt that I had achieved a goal I’ve had for a long time.
Q: What opportunities for growth do you think women have in FFA?
A: The agriculture industry is gaining more and more women in the field every day. FFA is a female-dominated association. Most Arkansas ag teachers are female. There is room to grow in every part of the agriculture industry, but I would love to see more female ranchers.
Q: Who has influenced your FFA career?
A: My first ag teacher has been my biggest influence since I started FFA. He taught me for a year and then moved to take another job. I am fortunate to have him as my current advisor. Watching him go from teaching in a classroom to being a member of state staff has really shown how much he cares about the agriculture industry and FFA.
Q: What advice do you have for women in FFA and agriculture in general?
A: Just do it. Take every opportunity presented to you and don’t let yourself have any regrets.