Rutherford County, TN - Oakland High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) recently attended the 97th Tennessee FFA State convention in Gatlinburg, TN and came away with big wins, achievements and honors. OHS FFA has over 400 students enrolled in agriculture classes... but less than ten of those own livestock or live somewhere that resembles some form of a farm. Students involved in OHS FFA and the agriculture pathway at OHS are finding agriculture and so much more. LeAnn Hays with Oakland High School told WGNS in an email, “It is truly a leadership organization.”
- Oakland High SchoolFFA chapter as a whole received the PLOW (Passing Literacy Onward) Gold Award for coordinating events that encourage literacy to elementary students; 10% Membership Increase, National 2 Star Chapter... that encompasses student activities, community service, and agriculture advocacy; and the Superior Chapter Award.
- Lily Amstutz (11th), Camryn Rucker (12th), and Elizabeth Fuqua (12th) all competed in Agricultural Science Fair Projects.
- Hannah Harrell (12th) competed in the State Extemporaneous Speaking Contest and ranked 3rdin the state. She also received a state scholarship to attend MTSU to become an agriculture teacher one day.
- OHS had 3 students rank in the top 3 tier for the state (and one qualified for nationals) in their proficiency award area that showcases how "proficient" a student is in their operation that happens outside of school (examples: a student owning a lawn care business, working at a vet clinic, working on the family farm, etc.)
- Ashton Reed ranked in the top 3 against other students in the state for forage production. Ashton cuts and sells hay for his family every summer.
- Hannah Harrell also ranked in the top 3 for sheep production... she raises and sells Katahdin hair sheep at her home.
- Camden Thomson is ranked #1 in Tennessee for Agricultural Processing- which is all encompassing for students who take an agriculture product and turn into something else like canning, making jams. Camden's operation is working for his family's meat processing facility, while also starting his own deer processing business.
- Kenzie McCoy, Sarah Wheaton, Abby Deberry, and Ashton Reed competed in the state FFA Quiz Contest.
- Camryn Rucker, Elizabeth Fuqua, Hannah Harrell, Camden Thomson, and Ashton Reed all received their State FFA Degree. They have been enrolled in agriculture courses for 2 years, earned $1000 and worked 300 hours, in addition to many other requirements.
- Hannah Harrell was elected as the 2023-2024 State FFA Treasurer. Hannah will spend the next year travelling the state to different agriculture programs, advocating for agriculture to legislators, and serving as a role model and leader for the 30,000 FFA members in Tennessee.
Oakland High School congratulates their FFA students and sends a big thank you and appreciation to all of the agriscience teachers/FFA sponsors: Rachel McClanahan, Caitlin LaLiberte, Blake Warmack and Haley Wilson.
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