Parents: Andi Taylor and Amy Murray
Hometown: Harrison, Ark.
FFA Chapter: Harrison FFA
FFA Advisors: Andy Treat and Sarah Walker
What is your favorite aspect of agriculture?
“I really like hands-on work and being outside working with the animals. Inside is uncomfortable and boring, and I like being where I can see what God created instead of what someone else built.”
Who is the most influential person in your life?
“The most influential person is my grandpa Bill Wood because he taught me all about agriculture before he passed a few years ago. He taught me how to identify and help mommas when giving birth. Most importantly, he taught me nothing is ever good enough because there’s always room for improvement.”
What is your current involvement in agriculture?
“I check and count my grandpa Bill Gilbert’s cattle every day after school. I also feed hay and check the mineral supply as well as helping to hay during the summer. I compete in forestry judging and I’m on the meats team. My classes include plants and animals, as well as a survey of agriculture. This year I’m on a work program class, which is when I go to my grandpa’s farm to check the cattle. I also help them with working the animals which includes giving shots and worming. My job is to gather them into the squeeze chute and calm them. We castrate rather than band because some of them get too big to band.”
What are some of your agricultural memories?
“One time I was with Grandpa Bill putting the bulls up in a pen next to the barn and checking the water. One charged me and I scrambled up the fence, but the bull was serious enough about getting me that he dented the iron fence.”
What are your future plans?
“I want to be a wildlife biologist and plan to study at Arkansas Tech. My dream job is working with elk and/or deer in their natural environment to study habits, health and population variation.”
