Marrying the world of athletics and agriculture is a dream of Jessie Campbell. This passion and determination contributed to Jessie’s recent election as the eastern region vice president of the Tennessee FFA Association.
Her devotion to the FFA and agricultural industry is unlike any in her family. Jessie’s mother was raised in Miami and her father in Knoxville, with limited exposure to traditional agriculture. Despite no family background in agriculture, Jessie has grown to love agriculture and sharing the truth about agriculture with her family and everyone else they meet.
“I consider myself the black sheep in my family,” Campbell jokes. “But it is the perfect dynamic for me. I love agriculture and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
As a conclusion to the 84th Tennessee State FFA Convention in Gatlinburg, Campbell was elected State FFA Vice President East for 2012-2013.
Joining Campbell to serve as state FFA officers for 2012-2012 are Steven McBride of the Coffee Country FFA Chapter as state president, Maryanna McClure of the Dyersburg FFA Chapter as state vice president-west, John Adam Turner of the Warren Country FFA Chapter as state vice president- middle, Mitch Baker of the Baxter FFA Chapter as state secretary, Grant Saum of McNairy Central FFA Chapter as state treasurer, Christy Chicas of the Station Camp FFA Chapter as state reporter and Hannah Dugger of the Johnson Country FFA Chapter as state sentinel.
“As a state officer, I will strive to influence other agriculturalist in growing by providing them with an example of how they can find out their passion and make a difference not only in their school, but also in their community and state,” Campbell said.
Campbell is currently a senior and plans to attend the University of Tennesse- Knoxville and major in plant science. She is the daughter of Janet and Benny Fox and her agricultural education instructors and FFA advisors are Kathryn Ingram and Don Layman. Farm Bureau Insurance sponsored the entire state officer selection process.
For the next year, Campbell and her state officer peers will be the face and spirit of FFA. Collectively, they will travel thousands of miles throughout the state as they engage top leaders in business, government and education and lead a host of personal growth and leadership training seminars for FFA members. The team will also help set policies that will shape the future of the Tennessee FFA Association and promote agricultural literacy in general.
