Age: 18
Parents: Amy Hailey and Andy Bean
Hometown: Walnut Grove, Mo.
FFA Chapter: Walnut Grove FFA
What is your involvement in agriculture?
“I grew up in town and I was kind of hesitant to join FFA because I don’t have cattle or anything like that, but what really interested me was working in the greenhouse. I found horticulture and entomology really interesting, so that’s why I joined, and I’m really happy I did. My favorite thing was my sophomore year and I was on the entomology team; I was really happy with that.”
What has your experience been like in FFA?
“I came into ag classes and FFA when I switched at semester, so everyone is kind of half way through things, but I was able to catch up pretty easy, and everyone was really welcoming. FFA is the first extremely active school thing I’ve done. I’d never been on an overnight school trip or anything like that, so that was really fun. I really like being active in FFA and participating in all of the (Career Development) competitions.”
Not having and agriculture background, what is something you learned about agriculture?
“Learning about cows and animals in general, and how things grow. I always just through you threw seeds on the ground and things grew; I learned there’s a lot more to it and it’s a lot of work. I’ve learned how farming intergrades with technology and I just think it’s really cool and I’m glad I’ve got to learn about that.”
Do you share what you’ve learned in FFA with others?
“Yes. My sister is a freshman, and she’s not a country girl. I told her she really should do FFA because there’s a lot more to it, like horticulture, floriculture and all of these interesting things that she would really enjoy; it’s just fun. I think FFA really makes you want to learn about things. There are so many things you can take an active interest in, instead of just going into a classroom and being told what to do. I’ve had experiences I wouldn’t have in any other way.”
What are your future plans?
“I’m really undecided on what I want to do. I think horticulture is something I really want to look at, so that’s an option for me.”
