Age: 17
Parents: Bruce and Nicki Salmon
Hometown: Harrison, Ark.
FFA Chapter: Valley Springs FFA
Advisor: Tim Moore
What is your favorite aspect of agriculture?
“I really enjoy all of the farm activities including baling hay, welding and raising the calves.”
Who is the most influential person in your life?
“Papa Jim Young taught me life lessons such as farm management and patience. Last summer, we got a new baler that kept slipping and I got mad. He told me I needed more patience and to take my time. Then he tried and got kind of frustrated too. Regardless, I learned he was right.”
What is your involvement in agriculture?
“I basically take care of my show calves in the evening and working with them to prepare them for the State Fair Spring show. I also help on the family farm with the Angus/Hereford crosses we raise. One of the most important things I have learned is that the calves tend to reflect your state of mind. If you are upset, your calf is upset. If you are calm, it will be calm.”
Awards: “I won Overall Commercial Grand Champion Heifer at the Arkansas State Fair twice, Grand Champion English, Overall Champion Showmanship at the Arkansas State Fair, Grand Champion Maine Anjou Heifer Arkansas State Fair, Grand Champion Shorthorn Plus Heifer at the Arkansas State Fair, Overall Supreme Heifer five years at our county fair, Grand Champion Prospect Steer 4 years at our county fair and Overall Supreme Heifer for three years at Northwest Arkansas District Fair.”
What are your future plans?
“I plan to attend Arkansas State University in Beebe and receive my associate degree, then transfer to Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo. After finishing college, I would like to continue to add to my degrees by attending Tulsa Welding Academy and hopefully work on the pipelines for a few years before returning home to get a job as an ag teacher.”
