Once long ago, being a farmer was the dream of many an American child. Nowadays, many students see that career as one of hardship and little financial reward. One young man, however, has planned since he was young to be a farmer – Southeast Bulloch High School senior Jarrod Creasy. And his plans are starting to pay off.
Two weeks ago, Creasy was elected to the position of vice president of the Georgia FFA. The FFA, once known as the Future Farmers of America, is the nation’s premier agricultural science organization.
Allen Waters, FFA advisor at Southeast Bulloch, said that being elected to state office is very difficult. Only 25 FFA members (of the 27,000 in Georgia) met the criteria to be considered for state office this year.
Of those 25, only 12 qualified for the election. From those 12, the six state officers were chosen. Creasy now goes to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis as a delegate for the state of Georgia.
SEB Principal Joni Walker Seier said, “Jarrod has displayed exemplary leadership in every aspect of life. I had no doubt that those at the state would recognize what an outstanding young man he is.”
Creasy has served this year as both SEB FFA Chapter president and Area Four treasurer. The SEB high school chapter is the largest in the county with 166 active members.
Seier said that the annual FFA banquet “is one of the highlights of the entire school year at SEB.” At this year’s banquet, Jarrod swore in the new chapter resident, Valerie Noles
SEB advisor Yvette Smith said: “Many of my members have never even set foot on a farm. They intend to become veterinarians, scientific researchers, and even writers for agricultural publications.”
Proving her point, SEB members also won other state awards: Justin Brown took second place in “Supervised Agricultural Experiments”; and Noles was recognized for being one of 18 members to perform in front of the entire assembly.
Creasy took home a number of other awards as well: in addition to taking third place in “Beef Entrepreneurship,” he was recognized for his tractor operation skills and for his lifestyle accomplishments. Creasy will be heading to Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College this fall.
Creasy was quick to give credit ti the FFA program.
“First and foremost, it has given me the opportunity to show off the skills I’ve developed on our farm," Creasy said. ”Being a member of the FFA has helped me perfect my speaking skills. “
He said that FFA Advisor April Tankersley (along with Smith and Waters) made sure that he had plenty of opportunities to show them off.
Creasy said: “Being a member of the FFA has also allowed me to travel all over the state, meeting people I never would have the chance to meet otherwise.”
Before the banquet ended, a final honor was given out. Two FFA members’ families were sworn in as Honorary Chapter Members.
Eddie and Patty Akins, parents of 10th grader Austin Akins, and Jarrod’s parents, Tammy and Noel Creasy earned the final awards.
Two weeks ago, Creasy was elected to the position of vice president of the Georgia FFA. The FFA, once known as the Future Farmers of America, is the nation’s premier agricultural science organization.
Allen Waters, FFA advisor at Southeast Bulloch, said that being elected to state office is very difficult. Only 25 FFA members (of the 27,000 in Georgia) met the criteria to be considered for state office this year.
Of those 25, only 12 qualified for the election. From those 12, the six state officers were chosen. Creasy now goes to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis as a delegate for the state of Georgia.
SEB Principal Joni Walker Seier said, “Jarrod has displayed exemplary leadership in every aspect of life. I had no doubt that those at the state would recognize what an outstanding young man he is.”
Creasy has served this year as both SEB FFA Chapter president and Area Four treasurer. The SEB high school chapter is the largest in the county with 166 active members.
Seier said that the annual FFA banquet “is one of the highlights of the entire school year at SEB.” At this year’s banquet, Jarrod swore in the new chapter resident, Valerie Noles
SEB advisor Yvette Smith said: “Many of my members have never even set foot on a farm. They intend to become veterinarians, scientific researchers, and even writers for agricultural publications.”
Proving her point, SEB members also won other state awards: Justin Brown took second place in “Supervised Agricultural Experiments”; and Noles was recognized for being one of 18 members to perform in front of the entire assembly.
Creasy took home a number of other awards as well: in addition to taking third place in “Beef Entrepreneurship,” he was recognized for his tractor operation skills and for his lifestyle accomplishments. Creasy will be heading to Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College this fall.
Creasy was quick to give credit ti the FFA program.
“First and foremost, it has given me the opportunity to show off the skills I’ve developed on our farm," Creasy said. ”Being a member of the FFA has helped me perfect my speaking skills. “
He said that FFA Advisor April Tankersley (along with Smith and Waters) made sure that he had plenty of opportunities to show them off.
Creasy said: “Being a member of the FFA has also allowed me to travel all over the state, meeting people I never would have the chance to meet otherwise.”
Before the banquet ended, a final honor was given out. Two FFA members’ families were sworn in as Honorary Chapter Members.
Eddie and Patty Akins, parents of 10th grader Austin Akins, and Jarrod’s parents, Tammy and Noel Creasy earned the final awards.