The National Future Farmers of America convention was held last month and Chattooga County was represented at the annual meeting held in Louisville, Kentucky.

Those representing Chattooga FFA were: Haley Barton, Bode Brooks,  Abby Hosmer, Tyler Hunt, Rose Jones, Melissa Maynard, Bailey Kellett and Julia Scruggs. Bode Brooks, who graduated from Chattooga High School in 2015, was a Silver Ranking Nationally for his state winning Agricultural Communications Proficiency. His work for his Supervised Agricultural Experience Project included work at AM 1180 Chattooga County Radio in addition to his public speaking and agriculture awareness activities for the FFA Chapter. 

Bode is currently working on a communications degree at the University of West Georgia.” Additionally, four former Chattooga High School students were recognized as they received their American FFA Degree during a session Saturday morning at Freedom Hall. The American Degree is the highest award an active FFA member can receive the number of members receiving their degree represents one half percent of all members of the organization. Haley Barton, Bailey Kellett, Melissa Maynard all who graduated from Chattooga High School in 2013 and Julia Scruggs, 2014 Chattooga High School graduate were among the 77 members from Georgia recognized for this honor at the convention.

David Yarbrough, Chattooga High School FFA Advisor said, “In our community where less than 10 people have obtained the honor of American degree status it is awesome to see 4 students earn it in the same year. These girls started their FFA careers when me and Mrs. Jarrett started our teaching career so that made it a little special for us. You know you have things working the way they need to in our department when you start seeing students get this degree.”

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success through agriculture education to more than 600,000 members throughout the nation.