Hometown: Hartford, Ark.
Parents: Mark and Fonda Beckham
FFA Chapter: Hartford FFA
Advisor: Johnny Harp
What is your current involvement in agriculture?
“All people are a part of agriculture even if they don’t know it, and FFA helps everyone understand. FFA is so much more than living on a farm. I live in town and am highly involved, even though I don’t raise animals. I am the chapter president, which involves setting a good example for members, organizing meetings and activities and helping others with their projects. I am also the Sebastian County Fair Board social media specialist.”
Who is the most influential person in your life?
“I’m lucky and many people have been influential in my life, including my ag teacher and FFA advisor, Mr. Harp, who inspired me to reach beyond my small school and however, life in general. The most influential, is probably my mom who is a role model for what a modern, powerful woman can be.”
What are some of your agricultural memories?
“Being raised in town meant I really didn’t have much to do with agriculture until I took a required class in eighth grade. I loved the class and became really interested in where food comes from and the people and careers involved. I joined FFA because I wanted to learn more and became a member of the nursery/landscape team. Two years ago I was the high point individual at the district nursery competition. I also participated in the World Food Prize Research Competition which required a five- to six-page paper on a food problem currently facing a Third World country and placed at the state level. My paper was about water and sanitation in Nicaragua.”
What are your future plans?
“I want to be a prelaw student and will begin by taking an agribusiness degree at Arkansas Tech.
What is most memorable about your competitions?
“I really loved competing in a Discussion Meet sponsored by Farm Bureau, where a problem is presented and I discuss it with other chapters. Each participant presents a solution and then summarizes and concludes what the best solution would be. This kind of competition keeps participants updated and involved in the current issues in agriculture while teaching how to think and speak clearly at the same time. The thing I like best, however, is more general, that is how everything I do expands my knowledge and helps me grow.”
