The Alabatna FFA REPORTER - Alabama FFA

1 The Alabatna FFA REPORTER OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE Alabama FFA ASSOCIATION. Vol. 13 SPR IN G 1986 FORMER TEACHER -- - By NOW A SPONSOR J. L. Holmes I was reared with work ethics similar to Farmers of America for the past 40 years. I. the FF A motto, which is "Learning to Do, shall continue the close association with the Doing to Earn, Earning to Live, and Living group of businessmen. After each FFA F F A as long as I am physically able and to Serve ." member had given a ten - minute speech, one needed. Since J grew up on a farm in Randolph of the businessmen said to the other mem.

2 Count y, the work ethics of FFA have con bers of their convention, " My faith in the tinued to be an inspiration to me these man y young people of America has been renewed.". years. Many members of the businessmen's con . After belonging to the F FA for two years vention made state ments that they were in high school, I carried with me the belief in going back to their respective states and leadership for myself and respect for others. promote their local FFA programs. This is This was a comforting thought during my the kind of support that enables the activities trying days of Army combat.

3 Of the F FA to go forwa rd. Upon being discharged from the Army, I S ince my ret irement, I ha ve continued to entered Au burn University, studying Agri be act ive in FFA act ivities, such as serving cultural Ed ucation. I continued to believe on the Agribusiness Ad visory C ounc il, jud g . that to live and work on a good farm was ing contests, acquir ing sponsors for FFA. always challenging. T his thought sta yed Contests & Awa rds P rogram , and attending with me throughout my teaching career meetings and con ve ntions. which began at Rockford, Alabama , in As I attend the Sta te FFA C onventions, 1.

4 195 1. feel proud of these young FFA me mbe rs The greatest enjoyment of my teaching whe n th ey dress to represent a ll the FFA. career was the development of character in members throughout the state. It t h rills me my F FA members. T his was made easier for when I sit in the aud ie nce of the FFA Con . me, as J remembered the a ims and purposes vention a nd o bserve the FFA Stat e Officers About J. L. Holmes of the F uture Farmers of America . conducti ng the business of t he FFA. I ha ve A nat ive of Wood land , Ala bama, in Ran . I a lways t ried to be an active participa nt in heard people wh o ha ve had no previous dol ph County, Holmes taugh t agribusiness all F F A activities with my st ud ents.

5 They connection with the F F A in past years sa y ed ucation a t Coosa C o un ty H igh School for entered the majority of the state-s ponsored every student shou ld be requ ired to take twenty yea rs. F F A con tests each year d uring my teaching agribusiness while in high sc ho o l. They were Holmes served in the U. S. Arm y during ca reer. J k now for a fact t ha t the ex periences amazed as to how the Sta te Offi cers con Wo rld War 11 in the So uth Pacific. He and kno wledge t hey received made the m du cted the meetings a nd ho w parliamentary received tw o battle stars and the Combat better citizens an d students.

6 I have lost con p rocedure was being used in co nducting the Infantryman 's Badge. tact wi th most of my stude nts, but I feel sure busin ss of the Fut ure Farmers of America. For ten and a half years, Ho lmes wo rked they conti n ue to live by the habits they Whi le a ttending the Future Farmers of wit h the State De partment of Educatio n as learned while mem bers of the FFA . America Sta te Convt:ntions, J have observed Coordinator of Constructio n and Equip . In work ing with these you ng studen ts du r that n w contests have been added . I have ment and served also as C oordinato r of ing the yea rs I taugh t agribusi ness ed uca no ticed how profi cient these students are in Adult Education.

7 Tio n, I recei ed many rewards and inspira each contest they enter. This tells me that For the last four years, he has worked with \s I saw these students deve lop into agribusiness teachers have worked many Chambless-Killingsworth, Architects as an young men, it made me a better pe rson. hard and long hours in their respective educational consultant. Chambless- Killing ' . Since I have r tired, one of the greatest plea agribusiness departments in high schools worth sponsors the Hom and Farmstead sures I have is fo r a forme r FFA member to throughout the state. This is where learning Improvement and Wildlife Management visit me and tell me what my leadership and take.

8 Place, allowing an FFA member to put Proficiency Awards. Holmes serves as a ncouragement has meant to him. into practice those things learned while member of the Agribusiness Education Ad . During my teaching career, I chaperoned attendingan agribusines' class in high school. visory Committee and has received the the stat FFA winners in Fore try from six J n 1971 it was an honor for me to accept Honorary State Farmer Degree from the so utheastern states to Philadelphia and to the Honorary. tate Farmer Degree . This is Alabama FFA Association . the National FF A Convention in Kansas the highest award that th Stat FFA Asso Holmes and his wife Betty have two SOil ' , City, Misso uri.

9 Wh ile we were in Phi lade l ciation can award . a daughter. and six grandchildren . The ph ia , all the state winne rs spo ke to a large ! have had close ties with the F uture Holmes continue to reside in Rock ford. THE Alabama FFA REPORTER . Spring 1986. MORE FROM OUR SPONSORS .. The Alabama Forestry As The Alabama Veterinary Editor .. Troy D. Newton sociation is proud to par Medical Association looks .' ecr~tary .. Betty L. Wright ticipate and support the ed u to Future Farmers of Amer . State OOic:ers ) 985-86 cation of soon-to~be young ica as prime candidates for adults. particularly those training as future food ani.

10 President .. Joely B1'l'wer involved in agriculture and mal veterinarians. A V MA. Citronelle Chapter forestry. We know that FFA members view FF A members Route I. Box 30. Saraland 36571 students today will be the as valuable clients because Vice President .. David Parmer decision makers of tomorrow. and we are of their knowledge and background in ani . Russellville Chapler gratefu I that FFA prepares these students mal nutrition. animal health and manage . Route II, 80x 571. Russelhille 35653 with the management skills they will need to ment. Veterinarians think that these assets SecretaI').