Age: 15
Hometown: Maysville, Ark.
Parents: Jennifer and Brian Stearman
Siblings: Peyten Jarvis and Tanner Stearman
4-H Clubs: Brush Creek 4-H and Goiin Showin 4-H
FFA Chapter: Decatur FFA
What is your involvement in agriculture? “I have always lived on a farm. My grandfather produces beef cattle and had commercial broiler houses for 30-plus years. My mom is a 4-H and FFA alum. At 3 years old, I was given my first rabbit. As soon as I turned 5, I joined 4-H. My first projects were rabbits and dairy goats. I just turned 15 and I now have many more projects and they are much more extensive. I raise and show my own Boer goats, dairy goats and rabbits. I also participate in the Washington County pullet chain program each year. I also help my grandfather with the beef cattle. Everyday I am feeding and watering animals, cleaning pens, doing health maintenance (vaccines, grooming), managing breeding of the goats and rabbits, maintaining fences and the barns and making sure all the animals are cared for properly. With all the everyday duties and chores that come with living on a farm I also have to keep up with all my show procedures and routines; breaking animals to lead, brace, stand properly for their breeds and species. We process some of the goats and rabbits to feed our family. We sell goats and rabbits to local families for 4-H projects and for meat. Also, I sell eggs and sometimes donate them to local churches.”
What is your favorite part of being involved in agriculture? “I love being around animals. I have learned to be more responsible for myself and the lives of my livestock. It makes me feel proud when I am able to help others by feeding them the animals I’ve produced. I also have a lot of fun and enjoy getting to go to all the shows and being able to show animals that come from my farm. My favorite part of being involved in agriculture and living on a farm is the connection I feel with the land and the natural world. Every day on the farm brings a new challenge and opportunity. Living on a farm also supports a strong sense of community and purpose. Agriculture isn’t just about growing food; it’s about contributing to something larger than myself—feeding families, supporting local economies, and preserving traditions. The work can be demanding, but it’s incredibly rewarding to know that what I do every day has a direct impact on the well-being of others.”
What are your future plans? Do they involve agriculture in some way? “At the moment I am a sophomore in high school. I am a homeschool student and I take agriculture classes virtually through a local school. My future goals are to become a 4-H State Ambassador, then a State Officer. I hope I am able to be more involved in FFA and maybe take on a State leadership role. Also, I want to become more involved and keep participating in the CALL tour (Careers for Arkansas Livestock Leaders). Starting this year I am going to intern at a digital marketing company. My goal is to be able to work for agriculture companies including family run farms and help them to have more of a digital presence and be able to reach a wider audience with their products and livestock. Whether we like it or not, our world is run with computers and I want to bridge the gap between our agriculture and farm communities and the digital world.”
