Age: 15
Parents: Greg and Milinda Evans
Hometown: Valley Springs, Ark.
FFA Chapter: Valley Springs FFA
Advisor: Tim Moore
What is your favorite aspect of agriculture?
“I really like the animals because I live on a farm and have been around them all my life. I like seeing them grow and being part of the process.”
Who is the most influential person in your life?
“My brother Austin. We share the same interests, even though he’s 22 and now at college. We used to show together, and now he raises show goats and hogs and is like a mentor to me.”
What is your current involvement in agriculture?
“I gather eggs at a layer houses in Harrison and work as a farmhand for a neighbor. I hay, cut firewood, build fence or whatever else needs to be done. I also show hogs, sheep, goats and chickens. I raise show sheep and feed at 6:30 a.m. before I go to school and again at 5 p.m. when I get home. It doesn’t take too long even though everything is separated because I’ve got the process well organized.”
What are some of your agricultural memories?
“My earliest memory is seeing goats being born, which I found interesting. I learned everything isn’t always simple. I also remember I once had a show goat when I was 12. The goat got stubborn and didn’t want to walk so I tugged it around regardless. I remember winning, but I don’t remember which place. I guess the goat looked good even if it didn’t behave.”
What are your future plans?
“I plan on going to Northwest Arkansas Junior College in Harrison and then finishing at the University of Arkansas in poultry science in hopes of someday being able to own my own laying operation because I’m already familiar with the processes such as keeping totals on the number of living birds, the mortality rate and the number of eggs per day and per week.”
