Adair County Middle School Agriculture/FFA classes recently attended field trips to learn more about careers in agriculture mechanics and held their annual banquet.
ACMS Ag/FFA students are seventh and eighth graders who attend classes daily to learn about plant science, animal science, ag mechanics, natural resources, consumerism, leadership, and careers in agriculture. In addition, sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students are invited to after school hands-on activities focused on agriculture.
On Monday, April 27, Adair County Middle School Agriculture/FFA classes visited Hobdy, Dye, and Read and Ag Revolution to learn about careers in the ag mechanics industry.
Eighth grade students spoke to Lee Jessee about ag engineering and sales and Jeff Ford about a day in the life of an ag mechanic.
Seventh grade students had the opportunity to speak to Alex Kelsay and Kenton Vaughn to learn about the variety of agriculture careers available at Ag Revolution and all the technological advances in farm equipment, such as the specific data recorded and used by planters and combines on the crop side and Total Mixed Ration wagons in livestock farming. “We really appreciated their time in talking to us and sharing their experiences”, said Robin Hancock..
On Thursday, April 30, the ACMS FFA held their annual banquet. FFA Officers Colton Grant, Case Grant, Mason Curry, Myles Spoon, Kayden Pegg, Kylie Thorpe, Weston Willis, John Gaskins, and Michael Hargis led the ceremony, which included Adair County High School FFA President Myla Curry, former Kentucky State FFA President Trenton Page, and current Lake Cumberland State Vice-President Clinton Corner.
The 2023-2024 ACHS FFA President, Kylie Cowan, brought the keynote address where she spoke about how FFA and specifically taking on leadership roles through contests and officer positions have greatly impacted her college, career, and life decisions.
Later during the banquet, students who will be competing at the Kentucky FFA Convention in June were recognized along with classroom award winners. Classroom awards included conservation essay winners, highest agriculture class grade percentage average, volunteering for leadership roles in class, class effort awards, nail driving contest winners, livestock judging, forestry, and awards for attending the after school ag club for most of the school year. Awards were given for each grading period. As well, eighth graders that had completed their requirements, were awarded the Discovery Degree, which is the first degree that FFA members may receive in their FFA careers.
At the conclusion of the program, the ACMS officers were recognized along with thanking families and school staff for their support throughout the school year. The following will be competing at the Kentucky FFA Convention in June- Alexandria Pointer in Prepared Public Speaking, Mason Curry in Extemporaneous Speaking; Myles Spoon, John Gaskins, Michael Hargis, and Maria Burton in the Ag Issues Discussion Meet, Kylie Thorpe, Kayden Pegg, Weston Willis, and Ava Froedge will compete in FFA Quiz Bowl; and Mason Curry, Kylie Thorpe, John Gaskins, Myles Spoon, Michael Hargis, Weston Willis, and Kayden Pegg will compete in the middle school Conduct of Meetings contest.
