State Dairy Judging

From rainy days to cold nights, it did not stop the 2011 Dairy Judging participants from coming out and having an amazing time at the Rowan County Fair Grounds. As Beverly, Alyssa and I loaded up in “The Tank”, aka Beverly’s truck, Wednesday afternoon to head to the fair grounds we where on the look out for activity buses filled with excited FFA members. We passed the West Carteret and Johnston county buses, smiled and waved as we went by them! As always, we had to do a traditional Wal-Mart stop and found Hobbton wondering around the parking lot waiting to get on the bus.  Finally, we made it to the fair grounds with a warm welcome by FFA members and enjoyed a great meal provided by the West and South Rowan FFA chapters… baked beans, slaw, pork chop sandwich, chips, sweet tea and some amazing banana pudding! After the meal FFA members were divided up by chapters to go and run through the events so that the students would know and understand the rules for the next day’s competition. As the rain continued and the tornado warning was no longer in affect it was time to call it a night. The FFA members went back to their hotels, cows where loaded up on their trailers, and the state officers, Cory Wade and Mr. Davis were on the way to Beverly’s farm. Beverly and I in the Tank, and Cory, Mr. Davis and Alyssa in the struggle van, what could go wrong? This, the struggle van could not make it to the farm due to the road’s flooding. So now it was time to get some sleep for the next days events.

Bright and early Thursday morning it was time to get things started on the Rowan County fair grounds. Every one was divided up in A, B, C and D and the event started. As they competed in the cold and rainy weather they had to opportunity to have a snack brake with milk and an Apple Ugly, known to be a great snack in Rowan County. The competition continued with people giving oral reasons, tests and placing the dairy cows. As the day ended, it was good to see familiar faces and also meet new people. I had a great time talking, laughing and getting to know all the FFA members there at this event! We had an amazing time and cannot wait to see y'all at the next few events!!!!!!!

-Hannah Russell       

FFA Day at the North Carolina State Fair

The fresh morning air smelled marvelous as I pulled up to the office. This was the day. It had finally come, and I was super stoked. Yea, that’s right, the North Carolina State Fair was in town, and we were officially opening the fair on this Friday, October 14^th. We piled into the State van and made our way to the fair grounds. As we got out and entered the gate, the fragrance of fried food and agriculture filled my nose. Yep, it was definitely the State Fair. We opened the fair with FFA day and a few comments from Commissioner Troxler and our keynote speaker Mike Hall. After that we all made our way down to Heritage Circle for the anticipated ribbon cutting. My teammates and I gathered at the front of the stage for the ceremony, and as the Commissioner proclaimed the opening of the 144^th North Carolina State Fair we cut the ceremonial ribbon.

I was gripped with a sense of awe as I stood there surrounded by so many inspirational people that not only impact agriculture, but help make the North Carolina State Fair possible. I couldn’t help but smile knowing that I had been a part of something so special and memorable. We kept part of the ribbon as a token to remember the ceremony, and it will forever be something we treasurer. 

With the ribbon cutting over it was time to have a little fun. The other officers and I set out to learn to tie tobacco, just like our grandparents would. This was probably my favorite part. I felt a sense of pride in tying tobacco. There was feeling of connection to my past and heritage and it was awesome to experience part of my culture and see how agriculture was half a century ago. We enjoyed learning about the process and getting to experience it firsthand.

Then it was off to the Jim Graham building and the Livestock Hall of Fame where we enjoyed a delicious lunch with the commissioner and other special guests. We also visited with some of the 4-H state officers as well as some Grange members. It was great to see all the FFA members walking around brimming with excitement for the opening day of the fair.

State Vice President, Caroline Tart

FFA, A Family

As we’ve said time and time again, in FFA, we are a family. It doesn’t matter where you come from, the experiences you have had, or what you plan to do in the future, FFA creates a lasting bond in all of its members.

            In every family there are ups and downs, and currently in North Carolina FFA, one of our own is struggling. Beverly, Hannah, and I had the the privilege to attend an event in support of Tasha Morris, past state FFA president in 2002-2003. Tasha is currently undergoing treatments for cancer, and as her condition continues to unfold, the expenses associated with her medical procedures are rising. However, through the love and generosity of individuals at the South Rowan alumni fall social, some of those expenses can now be taken care of.

            The expenses, of course, are the least of her family’s worries. Though Tasha is physically ill, her spirit is still just as positive as ever before. Her father shared stories with us about the uplifting things she has said before undergoing procedures. Her faith in God is amazingly strong, and her attitude on life is something that we can all learn from. She is a true inspiration!   

-Katie Cauthen

National Convention Through the Eyes of John Stewart

“I Believe” not only was it the theme for this year’s National FFA Convention, but it will be our theme throughout the upcoming year!  It is one of the most exciting times during State Office, traveling with nine Delegates and the other State Officers to Indianapolis!  You could feel the excitement start to build as soon as the plane landed.  We arrived on Monday and we knew that we had less than one full week to take it all in, and leave North Carolina FFA’s Mark on those streets.

This year was especially exciting for me, not only did I get to serve as a Delegate, but I also got the opportunity to compete in the National FFA Extemporaneous Career Development Event!  Months of hard work and preparation was finally going to pay off!  The excitement was almost too much to contain, not only were we making decisions that will shape the future of the FFA, we also interacted with other FFA Members from across the United States.   Then, Wednesday came, the time was 7:30 A.M. and the location was Ballroom 4 of the Westin Hotel.  I knew what had to be done, but you never can get all of the nervousness out of your system.  They called my name, and I went into the room to give my speech.  It all seems like a blur now, but in that moment there was nothing that was going to stop me from giving everything I had at that moment.  When the first round was over, I waited for what seemed like an eternity…and then it happened…they called my name to go on to the semi-finals!  Now I had to give a completely different speech on a different topic!  Competing against eight other individuals I knew that only two of us could make it out of this round.  That night at the banquet for the Speaking Contestants I could hardly eat or even sit still. They called the extemporaneous speakers, bronze, silver and then finally the top four individuals that would be advancing to the finals! “California…Oklahoma…Kansas… and North Carolina!” I was so excited! I had finally made it to the top four and I would be competing one final time in front of everyone!  Friday couldn’t come fast enough! I just wanted to know how I had done!  But I had to compete one final time on Thursday!  I got up that morning and I was ready to go, it was game-time and it was time to let the dogs out!  I gave it everything I had!  Friday night came; the nervousness was at an all-time high.  All I can remember about that whole ceremony was “First runner up…John Stewart, Knightdale, North Carolina!!!!!”  I was so excited, what an incredible opportunity and journey it has been to be able to represent North Carolina at National FFA Convention.

National FFA Convention was certainly a great time, and North Carolina FFA was easily one of the best represented.  Not only were we recognized as the third fastest growing Association, we were represented by an outstanding group of Members and Delegates!  This year, National FFA also recognized Native American Heritage as an important factor in the shaping of the United States, Agriculture and the FFA.  We were especially well represented by members of the St. Pauls FFA Chapter, who provided rich history on Native Americans from North Carolina.  From the retiring addresses of the National Officers, to the elections of the 2011-2012 National Officers, National Convention is an exciting time, and a time to celebrate all of the achievements of our Organization.

Crafts, Nursing Home Visit and Square Dancing - NC Grange State Convention 2011

A couple weeks ago Caroline asked me if I would come with her to Grange State Convention over a weekend.  Since I wasn’t lucky enough to go to Grange camp over the summer I was super excited to get the chance to go see what this Grange was all about. When we got to hotel Friday afternoon we were put straight to work creating take home placemats for the banquet, which I might add that anything that involves arts and crafts is right up my alley! That night while we enjoy an enormous amount of desserts from the baking contest earlier in the day, we participated in an auction to raise funds to help Grange member who are struggling from disasters throughout North Carolina.  I was really excited when I saw a cake box decked out in NATIONAL BLUE and CORN GOLD!! I must say that I did not mind splurging a little bit to help out a great cause and to get something so adorable! The Grange members even let me march with them which was a completely new experience for me! We practice long into the night so we could perform in the session the next morning for the all the adults. I must say that even though it was my first time marching we did a pretty amazing job. After that session Saturday morning we piled on a charter bus and headed to a local nursing home. We spent the morning there meeting residences and bringing them pansies in flower pots Grange members had painted. After lunch at the mall we returned back to hotel and back to work on our placemats, I think in the end we hand crafted about 200 placemats! That night was the youth’s awards banquet where their success and achievement was celebrated and recognized. Then after that great meal and some yummy chocolate cake the Grange members shared another Grange treat; square dancing!  We did the Steal and Oh Johnny Oh until we could barely go anymore. I am definitely glad Caroline invited me, I had a great weekend with some awesome kids and I hope that I might get the chance to do it again!  


         Beverly Hampton, State Vice President

55 Years of Wisdom Passed from Former State President

                On Tuesday, September 13^th the we had the opportunity to do something that you could describe as simply amazing!  We had the opportunity of meeting with former Governor Jim Hunt.  Governor Hunt served as State FFA President 55 years ago, and credits FFA with his success as a political leader.  His favorite activities included public speaking and parliamentary procedure.  During our meeting with the Governor we discussed key issues that were facing the state of North Carolina and their impact around the world.  The issues included education reform, the future of agriculture, the direction of agricultural education, and our plans to be advocates for all of these and developing young people.

                Governor Hunt is from Wilson County, North Carolina and is without a doubt one of the most influential Governors, not only in North Carolina but across the United States.  Governor Hunt served as the leader of our state for 4 terms!  A combined service of sixteen years!  Hunt is known as the education governor because of his commitment to improving education in North Carolina, raising teacher salaries and improving the overall economic and social health of North Carolina.

                I along with the other state officers were truly inspired to continue our service to YOU the members of the North Carolina FFA Association.  Hunt is a motivator and without a doubt one of the most powerful speakers and influential people in North Carolina.  We walked out of that meeting ready to take on the many challenges that we will face and turn them into opportunities to grow, and make a positive impact in the lives of others.


                 John Stewart, State President

Words of Wisdom from former NC Governor Jim Hunt "Care. Care about People"

We get many unique opportunities as a state FFA officer team, but last Tuesday was really something special.  We had the privilege to meet with Governor Jim Hunt on the 21^st floor of the Wachovia building in downtown Raleigh!  I’m not sure any of us really knew what to expect from the visit, nonetheless the Governors warm, but down-to-business disposition certainly blew any expectations there may have been completely out of the water!

Dressed to impress in our OD, we all piled in the state mini-van like the family we are and made our way toward downtown.  The weather outside was certainly too warm for corduroy, but the air of the Wachovia building was as cool as the Governor’s smile as he hopped off a conference call and straight into a room filled with our smiling faces.  Starting with Mr. Bledsoe, he greeted each person in the room individually, making a personal connection with each of us.  He then proceeded to begin discussion.  He asked each officer a series of hard hitting questions, expecting solid and informed answers in response.  “What’s your most pressing concern in agriculture?”  “How is agriculture education staying current?”  “Where do you see the future of production?”  These questions lead us into discussion concerning agriculture illiteracy, sky rocketing food demands, the closing of North Carolina poultry plants, biotechnology, honors courses, alternative energy and much more.  However, when the Governor was satisfied with the goings-on of NCFFA and agriculture education, it was our turn to ask him some questions.

The very first question on all our minds was asked with no hesitation.  “Governor, how does a 1955-56 North Carolina state FFA officer from Rock Ridge High School obtain the title of ‘America’s Governor’ and certainly one of North Carolina’s finest for education?”  His answered certainly inspired us all.  He said, “Care.  Care about people.”  This response fed into more conversation about servant leadership and governor’s emphasis on building new leaders through education.  After speaking with Mr. Hunt, we all more clearly understood both how and why he had been able to make such great progress for North Carolina.  More than anything we were ready to take this new inspiration and apply it.

When the visit was over, we all took the book’s the governors assistant, Howie, had given us earlier and received a personal message from the governor on the inside page.  Then, we smiled for some pictures in his office, overlooking the beautiful city of Raleigh, waved Howie good-bye, validated our parking, and left the building with bigger smiles than when we came in!  Once we exited the building, we all looked at Mr. Davis and agreed, someday we all want a Howie!

Alyssa Ramsey, State Vice President