Name: Dalton Connell, age 17
Family: Parents, Brad and Joan; brother, Ashton, age 13 and sister, Torie, age 12
Hometown: Crocker, Mo.
School: Crocker High School
What is your involvement with agriculture?
“I was contracted to show Dexter cattle for a local woman and won the national youth showmanship award in 2009. Now I contract show goats and show my own rabbits, poultry and dairy goats. I garden and sell my produce with my grandpa at a stand south of town. I also mentor youth in 4-H in gardening. I am a past president of FFA and an assistant advisor for FFA this year.”
How did you get started in agriculture?
“I have always lived on a farm, and the ag teacher my first year in high school was really enthusiastic which got me excited. I learned about all kinds of things like making rations, which I now do for my animals. I was surprised by how much there was to leaarn.”
What are your future plans?
“I now want to go to college and become a certified ag teacher. I would like to go to the College of the Ozarks in Branson, Mo., or Northwest Missouri State College in Maryville, Mo., to study for that degree and certification.”
Story and Photo by Terry Ropp
