This years scholarship recipient is Brian Howard of James River High School. Here is some information about Brian.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY:
My parents are April and Anthony Howard. My father was in FFA growing up and has been a part of the FFA Alumni in Botetourt County. Both of my parents have shown me ways of how landscaping works and different kinds of flowers to plant. We live in Fincastle and love the mountain views and enjoy fishing and hunting together.
WHEN DID YOU DEVELOP AN INTEREST IN THE AGRICULTURAL FIELD?
I started to become interested in the agriculture field when I was in 6th grade in my Ag class with Mrs. Hannah where I learned what Ag and FFA is. I have had Ag classes since 6th grade to my senior year in high school. I was an FFA officer since 8th grade through my senior year. The people in my community helped me and showed me how Ag effects my life and on their farms. Also I have participated in local fairs such as the Botetourt Fair, Salem Fair, and Rockbridge Fair and that has helped me with my interest.
PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCES:
My agricultural experiences consist of planting flowers of different types like lilies, tulips, irises, roses, and some other kinds of flowers and shrubbery around my house. In FFA we do this event called “Know, Grow, Go” and our club teaches 2nd graders about agriculture and I have taught them about poultry. I taught them the cycle of a chicken; from the inside of the egg and the kids get so excited touching a chicken, maybe for the first time. Also I have taught the 2nd graders about how to plant Shasta Daisies from seed to full grown flowers. My Ag teacher in high school taught me how to drive a tractor for the first time on a tractor that James River Equipment let us borrow. Also another event I have done was teaching my driver’s education class about rural safety and how to watch while driving on the road.