Keeley Harding wears her FFA Official Dress.
Keeley Harding was inspired to begin a unique Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project simply by attending a field trip with her FFA chapter.
Harding is currently a sophomore at Heritage High School and serving as her chapter’s reporter. She has been an FFA member since freshman year and fell in love with the organization immediately.
“The organization as a whole is the best for leadership and agriculture, but also for furthering your future career,” said Harding, who’s participated in numerous Career Development Events (CDEs) and attended different events such as the Regional Leadership Conference and National FFA Convention & Expo.
Where it All Began
From a very young age, Harding has wanted to be a teacher. But it was her agriculture teacher, Camber Starling, who inspired her to pursue a career in agricultural education specifically.
“[Because of FFA,] I have discovered that agriculture is a field that not many people are truly aware of,” Harding says. “I want to educate others about the importance of the diverse industry it is.”
Harding began her SAE project in agricultural education after attending a chapter field trip to the North Carolina Farm Bureau. There, she was introduced to Heather Morton, the director of North Carolina Ag in the Classroom. This is a program that strives to promote the importance of agriculture to all North Carolina teachers and students. It is through this connection that North Carolina Ag in the Classroom now contracts Harding to write lesson plans that teachers can utilize.
Another part of Harding’s SAE is gaining hands-on experience in the field of education. In addition to creating lesson plans, Harding has partnered with Melissa Price, the FFA advisor at the local middle school. Harding occasionally teaches the students there, implementing the lesson plans she has created.
“[An SAE] is really about making the connections and finding the right people who have the same interest as you and creating close bonds with them,” Harding says.
Harding intends to apply for a National FFA Agricultural Proficiency Award in the future for her SAE, and is excited for what the future may bring.
