Arkansas forestry plays a large role in the economy. For one local FFA chapter it also means a tradition of success. Since the chapter’s start in 1941, the Hermitage FFA has fostered a deep understanding of the forestry industry numerous times.

Since coming to Hermitage High in 1965, agriculture education teacher Joe Don Greenwood has coached 11 state and two national winning forestry teams; a possible 12th state title in forestry is currently under review. The chapter has also had two members who placed first in the national forestry contest; Jeffrey Parker in 2002 and Nathan Lebetter in 2007. 

However, the tradition of success is not just in forestry. Hermitage also has 12 additional state wins in other contest areas including: opening and closing ceremonies, creed speaking, parliamentary procedures, livestock, horse and land judging. Dedication to success can be seen time spent practicing and preparing. Many students spend their spring and summer breaks traveling to judging contests or camps to prepare. 

“I spend more time traveling with the FFA then I do with my own family,” said Heather Harrod, chapter reporter. 

The chapter also participates in livestock, land, horse, dairy cattle, meats, and several other judging events each year. Greenwood will take as many students as he can get to put on teams, Harrod said.  Though judging contests are a large part of the Hermitage FFA, chapter members are also involved in several other activities as well.

During the Bradley County Fair members can be seen, showing livestock, while also ensuring the fair grounds remain clean. Members also perform task such as welding gates and hanging fans in the barns to keep animals and guests cool. 

The chapter sponsors a booth in the exhibit hall each year to give fair goers a better understanding of FFA.  To raise money for the forestry team’s trip to the national contest members sold candy, soft drinks and a chance to win a gas card during last year’s fair.

Many of the chapter members show livestock for their supervised agricultural experience program.  Thirty-two members showed market hogs on the county, district and state level in 2007. Some students also participated in the national show in Louisville, Ky. Members also showed sheep and goats. 

“If a student wants to show, but doesn’t have a place to keep an animal my dad will let them keep it at our barn, then they can just come there to take care of it,” said Natalie Greenwood, chapter president and Greenwood’s daughter. 

The program includes students 8th through 12th grades with a variety of courses offered. Students are asked what interest in agriculture they have and are then placed in classes geared toward that interest. 

Students select an area of interest and take two course in that area as well as a basic agricultural science and technology course and two agriculture electives. 

Some students are able to apply the knowledge learned in the classroom to part-time jobs. Students holding part-time jobs with construction companies and electricians have used such classes as electricity and agricultural mechanics to gain practical experience.  Hermitage has 90 students enrolled in agriculture courses, 57 of them members of the FFA chapter.

One example of community support can be seen on a billboard in town congratulating the 2007 national forestry winning team, sponsored by the Warren Bank. “If we didn’t have community support it would be difficult to function, to be able to go and do the things we do,” Joe Don Greenwood said.

During the annual FFA banquet a student auction is held to raise money for the chapter. Members are auctioned off to the highest bidder in exchange for a days worth of work. This year the chapter raised around $5,000 from the auction. Members also raised more than $1,000 from the sale of meat and fruits around the Thanksgiving holiday. The funds are used to cover expenses of travel and other chapter activities.  Community members also help students cover the cost of raising animals during the county fair premium sale.  Each of the students that show gets one animal in the sale. The backing of the program and of Greenwood was seen at the homecoming game last fall when Greenwood was honored by having the agriculture building named the Joe Don Greenwood Agricultural Education Center.

Asked to list what FFA had taught them, the officer team of graduating seniors said good work-ethics, manners, self-confidence and building character. 

“The whole program builds character,” said Barrett Jordan, junior adviser for the chapter. “I try to teach the kids skills for life,” Greenwood said, “I teach them to set goals and focus on reaching those goals.” 

The officers said that part of the fun of being in FFA was traveling and getting to meet new people from all over the country.  Katie Ferrell, chapter treasurer, said, “You never meet a stranger when you’re in FFA.”