Alyssa Miller
Age: 16
Parents: John and Ledna Johnson
Hometown: Greenbrier, Ark.
FFA Chapter: Greenbrier FFA
Advisor names: Brandon Lewis, Becca Spinks and Rodney Wiedower
What is your favorite aspect of agriculture?
“I really enjoy opportunities to advocate for agriculture to kids and adults and even my teachers about common misconceptions, such as GMOs being bad. Sometimes people don’t even know what the letters mean, and even if they do, they’re unaware that 40 ingredients in non-organic food can be in organic food and still carry the organic label. Many people also are unaware that growth hormones are mostly a thing of the past and no longer a concern.”
Who is the most influential person in your life?
“The most influential person in my life is Jacqueline Kennedy. She was a classy lady and kept her cool under stress. She was respected by everyone and I would like to be just like her.”
What is your current involvement in agriculture?
“I am the treasurer of my FFA chapter and do livestock judging, as well as extemporaneous public speaking. This is my first year with the extemporaneous speaking and I got first place at the Razorback Invitational in Fayetteville in December. I also buy two kids (goats) every spring and raise them as show goats. I feed them every morning at 7 o’clock and at 6:30 at night. I wash the buckets every day, especially in the summertime, and fill them with fresh cool water. I keep the pens neat and tidy and walk each kid for an hour every day to train them for the show ring.”
What are some of your agricultural memories?
“I remember helping pull a calf when I was only 5. Now I really enjoy helping my MawMaw (grandma) harvest the garden for canning.
What are your future plans?
“I want to graduate from college with a double major in agricultural business and agricultural education with a minor in communications because I want to be an ag teacher and help others the way I have been helped.”
