Name: Tara Johnson
Parents: Linda Johnson and Tom Johnson
FFA Chapter: Bergman High School (Boone County)
FFA Advisor: Kent Mathis and Clint Simmons
How long have you been involved in agriculture?
“I started in FFA in 8th grade at Lead Hill School. I moved to Bergman in 9th grade. I have my State Farmer Degree and have been to the National FFA Convention twice. I have been to the state poultry competition for two years in a row and I was on the Parliamentary Procedure Team last year. At home, I work on the turkey farm. I help set up the baby barns, wash waterers and work with climate control.”
Tara is a senior at Bergman High School. She is serving as Vice-President of her school’s FFA chapter. She also is a member of the National Honor Society and Future Business Leaders of America. She lives on a turkey farm, and her hobbies include riding horses and showing beef heifers and hogs.
What are your plans for the future?
“I plan to go to the University of Arkansas and probably major in Ag Communications and either double major with Poultry Science or do an Equine Science minor. I haven’t really made my mind up yet. No matter what I choose, I do want to take some equine electives and be a part of the Razorback Round-up, which is a sale they (The King Equine Program at the University of Arkansas) have every year. I really want to be a part of that.”
Do you plan to keep agriculture in your life as an adult in one way or another?
“Yes, I definitely want to keep agriculture in my life whether it be keeping my horses or showing registered cattle. My kids, I’m sure, will be involved in agriculture. I kind of have a love/hate relationship with the turkeys, but I’m sure I will be helping at the farm still.”
What is the most rewarding thing that has happened to you in agriculture?
“It is between the show team shirts that I helped make the idea come together on, or the black Angus heifer that I showed. She was one that kicked and gave me second-degree rope burns one time. At the fair, she was a perfect angel. I was so proud that I got her from that to being respectable in public.”
