Jake Brookshire
Family: Ken and Rashel Brookshire
Hometown: Rolla, Mo.
FFA: Rolla FFA
FFA Advisor: Cord Jenkins
What is your involvement in agriculture?
“In school, it’s been 4-H and FFA. I’ve taken trips to state convention at Columbia and also to the national FFA convention in Indianapolis. I’ve learned about leadership, the importance of farming and the agriculture industry in general. I’m studying wildlife conservation in FFA, too. I met people from all over the country at the national convention and I really liked that. I’m not an officer in FFA right now but maybe next year.”
At home, on the farm, agriculture is a way of life for Jake’s family who lives on 170 acres on the Phelps-Dent County line. “We all help on the farm with feeding cattle and other chores. I’ve got a cow and I help my grandpa with building fence. In 4-H, my younger sister, Amy and I both showed horses in the past. We have six Quarter Horses on the farm and I still ride occasionally, when there is time. Next summer, I’m planning on showing cattle.”
What are your plans for the future?
“Right now I’m taking construction and trade classes at Rolla Technical Institute (RTI) and I might go to Lynn Technical School once I graduate. I’d like to get a job in construction. I’ll always be here to farm and eventually, hope to have my own farm. I can operate all the machinery on our farm so that would be something I might be interested in later as a career, too.”
What’s your favorite part of work on the farm?
“I’d have to say hay season. I like being able to see what you’ve done, what you’ve accomplished once you’ve cleaned up the fields.”
And your least favorite part?
“Getting kicked by a cow.”
