SHOW NOTES

INTRODUCING MADISON COOK! 

I have no idea of where to start when it comes to talking about Madison Cook.  I am going to start with what she is doing right now.  Madison has graduated high school already, and now she is attending college.  She chose to go to Norwich University in Vermont, which is a military college.  She chose this particular school because they constantly keep you out of your comfort zone and challenge you.  Madison told me that she had only recently got her cell phone back because for the first part of your experience at Norwich they do not allow you to have electronics.  How many 19 year olds would volunteer for that?

Madison is majoring in international studies and Spanish with a minor in forensic psychology.  She knows that she wants to do something humanitarian in her future, and she has drawn a path to this goal involving these three fields of study.

Madison grew up on her families 200 year old farm in Delaware, and her dad was one of her FFA advisors.  Madison has always raised cattle and pigs, and she achieved many awards doing this including dairy proficiency and state star farmer.  In addition to showing pigs and winning awards, Madison was able to sell pork from her pigs at her families meat market.

Along the way Madison’s father encouraged her to apply for an SAE grant.  Then came the decision of what to apply for and why.  There is a lot to this story.  Madison’s father has a condition which leads to the degeneration of his muscles, and he has needed a wheelchair for several years.  This was a big part of Madison’s decision on what to apply for on her SAE grant application.

Madison decided to start producing vegetables in raised garden beds.  Her choice was based on the fact that with the beds raised her father could work with her in the garden because he would be able to reach the plants and weeds from his wheelchair.  Madison received the grant, and she was able to spend more time with her father, outdoors and working in agriculture.

Madison has an incredible story and a bright future ahead of her.  You will enjoy getting to know all about her.

SUPERVISED AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCE: Pork Production & Vegetable Production

HIGH SCHOOL: Caesar Rodney High School; Camden, Delaware

MASCOT: Riders

FFA ADVISOR: Stephen Cook

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR MADISON COOK:

Click on the picture below to be taken to the Caesar Rodney High School Website:

Madison’s FFA Advisor’s Email Address: stephen.cook@cr.k12.de.us

Caesar Rodney High School Telephone Number: 302 697-2161

FFA LINKS:

National FFA Organization

Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE’s)

Support FFA 

Donate to FFA – One way that FFA students are able to start small businesses is 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% as well as the rest of the world.  FFA is providing the needed education, training and resources to Americans that will carry that torch forward and insure 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 search for food 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

Where Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald Can Be Heard:

Member Of The National Association Of Farm Broadcasters