OFI 1033: The FFA Introduction To Agriculture | FFA SAE Edition | Missy Hamilton | Nelson County High School FFA

For years now the percentage of Americans working in agriculture has been shrinking. As farms become more efficient and jobs in rural communities go away, more and more youth, move into urban areas for work. But, could we be seeing a change in this trend?

In today’s interview, we feature a guest who tells her story of coming into agriculture through the FFA. This is a story that I am hearing more and more often.

Missy Hamilton grew up in a subdivision of Bardstown, Kentucky with no exposure to agriculture. Her older brother found his way into the FFA when he was in high school and encouraged her to try out the group as well. Missy gave it a try, and it has turned out to be an unbelievable success, with her now serving as her chapter’s president.

In four short years, Missy has gone from no knowledge about agriculture to leading her chapter and pursuing a career teaching ag as an FFA advisor. The FFA has given her the exposure and motivation, and agriculture is benefitting from this as we pull a student from an urban area into ag. In this way, the FFA is acting as an incubator for future agricultural professionals, and this is a very good thing.

Missy is currently running her own candle and wax melt business called Missy’s Makings. In addition to learning about agriculture, she has learned about entrepreneurship. She was also granted a $500 SAE grant from the Kentucky FFA in pursuit of her business. Now she is well on her way to a career that will enable FFA students in multiple different ways that will allow them to live and work in agriculture and rural areas if that is their wish!

SUPERVISED AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCE: Missy’s Makings

HIGH SCHOOL: Nelson County High School, Bardstown, KY

MASCOT: Cardinals

FFA ADVISOR: Claire West

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR MISSY HAMILTON:

Click on the picture below to be taken to the Nelson County High School website:

Missy’s FFA Advisors’ Email Address: claire.west@nelson.kyschools.us

Wetumpka High School’s Telephone Number: (502) 348-9096

FFA LINKS:

National FFA Organization

Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE’s)

Support FFA

Donate to FFA – FFA students can start small businesses through an FFA grant of $1,000. In 2014, 141 FFA students received these grants. With your donations, more students can get this head start – pay it forward.

REASONS TO DONATE TO FFA:

Only 2% of Americans grow and raise most of the food and livestock consumed by the other 98% and the rest of the world. FFA provides the needed education, training, and resources to Americans that will carry that torch forward and ensure that America continues to have inexpensive, quality food.
Rural Communities will rely on entrepreneurship in the future for population growth and job creation. The FFA is a major catalyst to that entrepreneurial growth.
Farmers, ranchers, and those working in agriculture give the rest of America incredible amounts of freedom because the food search is as simple as going to the grocery store:

“The future of American agriculture depends on the involvement and investment in America’s youth, In order to prepare for the population of tomorrow, we need to encourage America’s youth today, and show that careers in agriculture are profitable, rewarding, and vital.”. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue