COVINGTON FFA MEMBER NAMED STATE STAR FARMER

Jun 12, 2017
COVINGTON FFA MEMBER NAMED STATE STAR FARMER
COVINGTON FFA MEMBER NAMED STATE STAR FARMER

COOKEVILLE, TN—Catherine Turner of the Covington Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter is Tennessee FFA’s 2017 Star Farmer sponsored by the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, Farm Bureau Health Plans and Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee. The Star Farmer is considered the highest recognition in the state for an aspiring young farmer. Star recognition is awarded to the top students in five areas who best demonstrate superior Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects, a requirement for all FFA members. Her SAE project is beef cattle production. 

Catherine works on her family’s beef cattle operation, Turner Angus Farm. She owns 10 cows, 10 calves, 3 yearlings, and 2 bulls, in addition to the larger cattle operation she helps run with her family. Catherine was an active FFA member throughout her high school career, serving as her chapter president, Western Region President, and was a National Finalist with her Agricultural Communications Proficiency. 

For her achievement, Catherine will be honored during the weeklong 3rd Annual Tennessee FFA Star Tour presented by Farm Credit Mid-America. The Tennessee FFA Star Tour offers the Stars a platform to share the work from their agricultural projects with supporters across Tennessee. The tour began in Nashville where the stars planned their presentation for the week. From there, the Stars presented at a luncheon for the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture (SASDA). They also attended a Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation reception in Cookeville where they met both the Tennessee and American Farm Bureau Presidents. Finishing off the first night, the Stars made a stop at Tennessee FFA Leadership Training Camp in Doyle to make their presentation before fellow FFA members. 

Day two included a breakfast with Farm Credit Mid-America (FCMA) in Cookeville where the Stars met several FCMA leaders, as well as government leaders. Next, they visited Little Creek Produce and rounded out their time in Cookeville with a presentation at the Noon Rotary Club. Later that day, the Stars met former American Star Farmer and past Tennessee FFA State President, Joe Moore at his farm in Granville before traveling to Memphis. 

Days three and four were spent in West Tennessee as the Stars toured Graceland, visited and toured Thompson Machinery and stopped at Star Farmer Catherine Turner’s farm (Turner Angus Farm) for a Star Farmer Reception. Plus, the group visited Century Farm Winery in Jackson and Tosh Farms in Henry to conclude the tour where owner Jimmy Tosh and sons Jamey and Jonathan Tosh spent time with the Stars. 

FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. Nationally, there are 649,355 FFA members, aged 12-21. The Tennessee FFA Association is comprised of 14,084 members from 214 high school chapters, 7 middle school chapters, and 8 collegiate chapters across the state of Tennessee. To learn more about FFA visit www.ffa.org.

(Photo 1 Caption: Catherine Turner of the Covington FFA chapter accepts her Tennessee FFA State Star Farmer award sponsored by the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation and Service Companies.)

(Photo 2 Caption: Catherine Turner of the Covington FFA chapter visited Little Creek Produce in Cookeville while on the Third Annual Tennessee FFA Star Tour.)