FFA STUDENTS RECOGNIZED AT NATIONAL CONVENTION

BY JOSHUA BRYAN

The Benjamin Russell High School FFA Chapter recently had two members who were recognized as finalists at the 95th Annual FFA National Convention held in Indianapolis, Indiana in October 2022. Camden Adair was a national finalist in the Forestry Management and Products proficiency award area and Wyatt Allen was the national winner in the Equine Science Entrepreneurship proficiency award area. Both members put in countless hours of hard work and preparation on the road to achieving these honors. Camden and Wyatt are the first two FFA members from Benjamin Russell to achieve the goal of making it to the national finals in any area of FFA competition.

Camden was ranked second in the nation in the Forestry Management and Products proficiency area. Camden actively maintains 32 acres of land that he inherited from his granddad in 2018. The land is a mixture of pine and hardwoods that has been passed down for generations but had not been actively managed until Camden inherited and started managing the property for future timber production. When he first began his Supervised Agricultural Experience and managing the property in 2018, he worked to clean up the property, get the overgrown forest under control and remove any undesirable plant growth. Since then, he has implemented practices learned in his forestry and ag classes to improve the quality of timber on the land. He has also added firebreaks to protect the timber and trails throughout the property to make accessing and maintenance easier.

Wyatt was the first ever national winner for Benjamin Russell. His Supervised Agricultural Experience in Equine Science began at an early age because he grew up being part of an active farming operation with his family. By the time Wyatt was in the ninth grade, he was already part owner of 5A Ranch located in Dadeville, Alabama. On the ranch, he currently manages 14 head of horses. He purchases the horses from quality bloodlines at an early age in order to be able to train them to ride and operate in the way he needs them to for competitions. Wyatt and his horses actively compete in team roping events at rodeos across the country. On average, Wyatt spends four to five hours each day riding and training the horses along with ensuring they receive high quality health care and providing them with a specialized diet to allow them to compete at high levels.

Camden and Wyatt have made Alexander City proud with their accomplishments. Seeing these two achieve recognition at the National FFA Convention will hopefully encourage other Benjamin Russell FFA members to strive for excellence in hopes of also being recognized at the national level.