Age: 17
Hometown: Nashville, Ark.
Parents: Neil and Lauren Priddy
Siblings: Gatlin, Wade, Blair and Cora
FFA Chapter: Spring Hill FFA
Chapter Advisor: Shane Plyler
4-H Club: Nevada County 4-H
Club Leader: Stacey Stone
What is your involvement in agriculture?
“My first exposure to agriculture occurred when I was 5 years old. At this time, I was living in the suburban area of Katy, Texas, and my grandparents gave me two baby chicks. These chicks grew to become laying hens and of course, I wanted more chickens, so we moved to Magnolia, Texas, where we had enough property for more chickens and my first 4-H project, a market lamb. A year into 4-H, I started competing in livestock judging and I was hooked from the first contest. When I was 9 years old, I entered the Houston Livestock Judging Contest and was awarded a scramble certificate to purchase my first show heifer. My family moved to a farm in Arkansas in 2017. I brought my registered breeding ewes with me, and then my sheep operation grew and changed to a commercial sheep production business after meeting Mr. Duckett and Mr. Sweat, who owned the Sheep and Goat Sale in Hope. About the same time we got into commercial sheep, we started buying registered Simmental cattle, which has grown to a 60-head cow/calf operation. My four siblings and I also became involved in the American Junior Simmental Association. We have had the opportunity to use embryo transfer and artificial insemination as a major part of our cattle breeding program.”
What is your favorite part of being involved in agriculture?
“People in the agricultural community want to see each other succeed and do what they can to make it happen. From tagging cows, to mending fences, practically everything that involves working on a farm requires more than one person to get the job done. I know for us it takes the whole family and everyone enjoys doing different chores. My two brothers love the daily management aspect of ranching cows, they ride their horses, round up and doctor calves and feed hay, while I enjoy feeding show heifers and blowing the hair on our show calves in the barn. My little sisters always step up to the plate when someone needs to feed the chickens or there is a bottle calf or orphan lamb that needs to be taken care of. One of the most important lessons I have learned is to be humble enough to ask for help. I am fortunate to be a part of an industry where people are more than willing to do so. Our corner of Arkansas has provided access to some of the best mentors and industry leaders. I feel fortunate to have learned from several of them in the areas of business, finance, embryo transfer, sheep production, cattle and ranch management, and more.”
