Haywood FFA members’ tractors parked at the second annual agricultural career day event.
Agriculture is an industry that runs deep within the roots of Haywood County in West Tennessee. Out of the 95 counties in the Volunteer State, Haywood County is the top cotton-producing county.
The rich history between agriculture and Haywood County has continued to nurture the growth of Haywood FFA. This chapter has around 95 members who are attending Haywood High School. Multiple times throughout the year, these members learn more about agriculture through agricultural education classes and hands-on events like the second annual Haywood FFA Ag Day.
What Is Ag Day?
More than 75 students from Haywood High School and Haywood Middle School attended this event held on Feb. 26. They listened to presentations from people like Haywood FFA Alumni Robert Mitchell.
“The only way to succeed is to fail at them first, then find the determination to come back stronger,” he said. Mitchell has a rich history in FFA, as he’s helped nurture the organization’s growth for years.
Additional speakers, including Jim Nunn from Nunn Cotton in Haywood County and Andy Rowsey, shared the importance of Haywood County agriculture and FFA.
Attending students then went through the event’s career fair. Representatives from the local University of Tennessee Extension office, Tennessee Tractor, H&R Agripower, Simmons Bank, Alliance Risk Management Group, Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Whiteville and Insouth Bank all had booths dedicated to these students.
Hands-on activities about digital agronomy were present through TCAT Whiteville, and a golf simulator offered a chance to win $100.
A Tennessee Tractor representative speaks with students at the Haywood FFA Ag Career Day.
Drive Your Tractor to School
Haywood FFA also had current members and alumni drive tractors to the school (pictured above). More than 15 tractors were in the tractor parade this year. Students attending the career day event could view these tractors and talk to the agriculturists who drove them about what they do for the industry.
The Future of Agriculture
At the heart of the Haywood FFA Chapter’s mission is teaching students about the importance of agriculture. It is an industry that keeps food on our tables, clothes on our backs and a roof over our heads. So, advocating for agriculture through events like the career day is important.
As the year progresses, Haywood FFA plans to continue advocating for and empowering the future of agriculture.
