Age: 16
Grandparent: Barbara Hammond
Hometown: Mountainburg, Ark.
FFA Chapter: Mountainburg FFA
Advisor: Jim Hall
What is your favorite aspect of agriculture?
“I really like it all, but if I had to pick a favorite I guess it would be raising animals. Pigs are easy to train and funny while cows and goats are a little harder to train but raising animals from when their little makes them become like a best friend. Then we get to show as teammates.”
Who is the most influential person in your life?
“My grandma is the hardest working person I have ever known. Together we work the whole farm by ourselves, except for a neighbor who occasionally will help us with something. It’s a really neat relationship and we are strong for each other when the hard times come.”
What is your current involvement in agriculture?
“I’m raising show animals and helping grandma on the farm. I’ve been hauling hay by truck since I was 9 or 10 and rake for her in the summer. I also drive the tractor and a backhoe. Right now, the biggest focus is feeding the baby goats, which I do after school sometimes until 1 o’clock in the morning and then I have to be a basketball practice by 7 a.m. I take over all of the feedings on the weekends.”
What is your favorite possession?
“My dad and I wore matching necklaces, and that necklace is priceless to me now that he’s no longer here.”
Awards: “I won Grand Champion Commercial Steer with a black and white-faced Beefmaster at the Crawford County fair last year. Three years ago, as well as last year, I also won Grand Champion Poultry Chain.”
What are your future plans?
“I wanted to be a veterinarian but that’s way too much school so perhaps I will be a vet technician so I can still be around the animals. I am also considering being a teacher. Regardless, I plan on going to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville or Fort Smith so I can still be close to my grandma and help out on the farm. I would also like to travel, especially to see Niagara Falls.”
