Sophia Stutts, a sophomore at Huntland High School in Tennessee, embodies the FFA motto of “Living to Serve” through her passionate dedication to agricultural education and advocacy. As an active member of FFA and 4-H, she serves as her chapter’s secretary and leads initiatives that inspire younger generations to engage with agriculture in meaningful ways.
One of Stutts’ most impactful projects is Future Harvest, an advocacy account and magazine she launched in November 2023. This project is designed to educate students about agriculture in a fun and interactive way. The idea for it took root during a Passing Literacy Onward (PLOW) lesson Stutts participated in with second-grade students.
“I have always loved the idea of being a teacher, but being in action with kids and teaching them about my newfound passion for agriculture made me want to act,” she says.
Reflecting on her own experiences in a technology-heavy educational environment where agriculture wasn’t emphasized, Stutts saw an opportunity to create something hands-on and engaging for students.
A Magazine Born From Passion
Her magazine, which is affectionately called “Ag Mags,” reflects Stutts’ vision of merging education with entertainment. Inspired by the Scholastic magazines she adored as a child, Stutts wanted the content to be both informative and accessible for young learners.
“I started by determining which topics I would cover and additional features like a map of top commodities, vocabulary words and a word search,” she adds.
From November 2023 to May 2024, Stutts poured her energy into writing, photographing and designing the magazine. She also presented her project to her county’s Farm Bureau chapter. “Without this experience, I would not be blessed with the immediate support I have today,” she says.
The presentation led to partnerships with Tennessee Farm Bureau (TNFB) and Tennessee Ag in the Classroom, where professionals helped refine the magazine to ensure its accuracy and impact.
Making an Impact in the Classroom
Stutts will soon begin distributing Ag Mags to every fifth-grade classroom in her county, visiting nine schools and reaching 425 students. “Each student gets their own Ag Mag, and I teach a lesson based on the magazine’s topic followed by a fun craft,” she says.
Watching students’ excitement as they learn about agriculture is one of the most rewarding parts of her work. “Seeing the faces of these kids learning new things that interest them and educating them about the world around them reminds me why I love what I do.”
Building Community Support
Stutts’ project wouldn’t have been possible without the support of her community. She set a goal to raise $3,000 to fund the initiative and achieved it by seeking sponsors from local agriculture businesses, which are featured on the magazine’s back cover. Her efforts also opened unexpected doors, such as selling her magazine at two local co-op stores.
“I never would have expected that opportunity, but I am so blessed to do it,” she says.
A Bright Future Ahead
For Stutts, Future Harvest is more than a project — it’s a stepping stone toward her dreams.
“Working with organizations like TNFB has been truly rewarding, not only because I’m gaining beneficial business experience, but because I feel confident in my product and mission,” she says.
Her dedication to serving others through agricultural education inspires students today and paves the way for a future in which she can continue to teach and advocate.
“I strive to provide the most accurate information I can in several different areas of agriculture,” Stutts says. “This journey has been incredible, and I am beyond grateful for the progress, success and support I’ve experienced.”
Stutts is “Living to Serve,” one Ag Mag at a time.
