McNairy Central Wins Farm Business Management Contest

Members of the McNairy Central FFA Chapter won first-place in the Tennessee Association FFA Farm Business Management Career Development Event during the 85^th Tennessee State FFA Convention on March 27.

This team will represent Tennessee in the National Farm Business Management Career Development Event at the National FFA Convention in October. The McNairy Central member’s agricultural education instructors and FFA advisors are Rod Barnes and Ben Dodd.

The Farm Business Management CDE is designed to test the ability of students to apply economic principles and concepts in analyzing farm and ranch business management decisions. Participants respond to questions concerning economic principles in farm business management as well as a problem-solving analysis section. Farm Credit Services of Mid-America sponsored a cash award for expenses related to participation in the national contest.

McNairy Central FFA Wins Livestock Evaluation Contest

Members of the McNairy Central FFA Chapter won first-place in the Tennessee Association FFA Livestock Evaluation Career Development during the 85^th Tennessee State FFA Convention on March 25.

This team will represent Tennessee in the National Livestock Evaluation Career Development Event at the National FFA Convention in October. The McNairy Central agricultural education instructors and FFA advisors are Kyle Evans and Rod Barnes.

The Livestock CDE is a competitive activity that tests the students’ ability to select and evaluate livestock. Event components include eight evaluation classes of beef, sheep, swine, and goats; oral placement reasons on four classes; and a written exam on livestock production. A team event, based on production performance records, demonstrates the team’s breeding livestock selection ability. The 1986-1987 State Officer Team sponsored a cash award for expenses related to participation in the national contest.

McNairy Central FFA Member Grant Saum named State FFA Treasurer for 2012-2013

As a big brother an 8-year-old little boy, Grant Saum, the newly elected treasurer of the Tennessee FFA Association, has always had to be aware of his every word, move and action.

Growing up, little brother Parker Saum, followed around Grant in his hip pocket. Always wanting to do the things he did and copying his every action. This has prepared Grant for his new role in the FFA where he will be inspiring the 13,000 members as he has done with this little brother.

“I’ve always tried to be a role model for my younger brother,” Saum said. “But then I joined the FFA and realized it didn’t end there. We are all role models for one another in every aspect of our lives. We should be aware of how our words and actions affect and are reflected by others.”

As a conclusion to the 84th Tennessee State FFA Convention in Gatlinburg, Saum was elected State FFA Treasurer for 2012-2013.

Joining Saum to serve as state FFA officers for 2012-2012 are Stephen McBride of the Coffee as state president, Maryann McClure of the Dyersburg as state vice president- west, John Adam Turner of the Warren Country FFA Chapter as state vice president-middle, Jessie Campbell of the Sweetwater FFA Chapter as state vice president- east, Mitch Baker of the Baxter FFA Chapter as state secretary, Christy Chicas of the Station Camp FFA Chapter as state reporter and Hannah Dugger of the Johnson County FFA Chapter as state sentinel.

“This year, I hope to get to know member on a personal level,” Saum said. “My mission is to help others figure out how to be themselves and not compromising their beliefs or values or interests.”

Saum is currently a senior and plans to attend the University of Tennessee- Marin and major in animal science. He is the son of Keith and Cheryl Saum and his agricultural education instructors and FFA advisors are Rod Barnes and Cheryl Saum. Farm Bureau Insurance sponsored the entire state officer selection process.

For the next year, Saum and his 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.

News Release- Treasurer

Meet the 2012 Tenn. State Farmer

Grant Saum of the McNairy Central FFA Chapter earned top honors at the 84th Tennessee State FFA Convention was selected as the State Star Farmers on April 3.

The State Star Farmer is one of the highest honors given by the Tennessee FFA. Saum’s supervised agricultural experience, or SAE, was rated the best production agriculture program in the state. The Star Farmer award is one of the oldest and most cherished honors that an FFA member can receive. This honor has been bestowed on the one who is considered the best in developing a program that will enable the member to be a successful farmer.

The McNairy Central FFA member’s agricultural education instructors and FFA advisor’s are Rod Barnes and Ben Dodd.

News Release- Star Farmer

McNairy Central FFA Member Earns Sheep Production Proficiency Award

Grant Saum of the McNairy Central earned first-place honors in the Tennessee Association FFA Sheep Production Proficiency Award area during the 84^th Tennessee State FFA Convention on April 3.

The sheep production proficiency award is designed to recognize students who are involved in a supervised agricultural experience in which the student owns the enterprise or works for a business that includes the best management practices available to efficiently produce and market sheep, sheep products and wool.

The McNairy Central FFA member’s agricultural education instructors and FFA advisors are Rod Barnes and Benjamin Dodd. This award is sponsored on the state level by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture- Ag Tag Fund.

McNairy Central FFA Member Earns Beef Production Proficiency Award

James Kiser of the McNairy Central FFA Chapter earned first-place honors in the Tennessee Association FFA Beef Production Placement Proficiency Award area during the 84^th Tennessee State FFA Convention on April 3.

The beef production placement proficiency award is designed to recognize students who are involved in a supervised agricultural experience in which a student works for a livestock producer applying the best management practices available to efficiently produce and market beef. This award area is for any beef animal, including miniature Herefords, Zebu, etc.

The McNairy Central FFA member’s agricultural education instructors and FFA advisors are Rod Barnes and Benjamin Dodd. This award is sponsored on the state level by the Tennessee Beef Council.

News Release- Beef Production Placement

 

State Officer Candidate Grant Saum

Grant Saum- McNairy Central

A quote that I have lived by everyday since my freshman year is one that I saw at my first FFA state convention that said “YOU BE YOU”. This is something that has stuck with me through all four years of high school and through my involvement in the FFA. With a society that is constantly trying to change you I believe that we must stick to who we are and what we believe in. Growing up on the farm has instilled me with the responsibility of caring for animals. When I entered high school, I figured that there would be more kids like me raising livestock on the family farm. I was wrong. Being the one of the only members in my chapter with the responsibility of caring for animals made it difficult for me to relate to the other members because they did not understand my lifestyle. As time progressed, I realized I had to be me to help educate others about raising livestock and encourage them to understand the hard work I had to put into the animals everyday. As many FFA members know not everyone knows the true meaning of the FFA or what American agriculture truly is. Given the opportunity to serve as a Tennessee FFA state officer is something that would be a true honor and would give me the opportunity to be an advocate for agriculture and FFA and also serve the amazing members of the Tennessee FFA Association.