COOKEVILLE, TN—John Melhorn of the Meigs County Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter is Tennessee FFA’s 2017 Star Greenhand sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America. The Star Greenhand is the highest award in the state bestowed on a Freshman FFA member. 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. His SAE project is landscape management.
John, who is a rising sophomore, works for his family’s landscape company, M & M Landscaping. He is responsible for maintaining lawns and working with customers. To help the business, John crafted plant maintenance and safety manuals for employee and customer use. John plans on growing the family business, while continuing his involvement with his FFA chapter over the next 3 years.
For his achievement, John was selected to participate in 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 begins in Nashville where the stars will plan their presentation for the week. From there, the Stars will present at a luncheon for the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture (SASDA). They will also attend a Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation reception in Cookeville where they will meet both the Tennessee and American Farm Bureau Presidents. Finishing off the first night, the Stars will make a stop at Tennessee FFA Leadership Training Camp in Doyle to make their presentation before fellow FFA members.
Day two includes a breakfast with Farm Credit Mid-America (FCMA) in Cookeville where the Stars will meet several FCMA leaders, as well as government leaders. Next, they will visit Little Creek Produce and round out their time in Cookeville with a presentation at the Noon Rotary Club. Later that day, the Stars will meet 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 will be spent in West Tennessee as the Stars tour Graceland, visit and tour Thompson Machinery and stop at Star Farmer Catherine Turner’s farm (Turner Angus Farm) for
a Star Farmer Reception. Plus, the group will visit Century Farm Winery in Jackson and Tosh Farms in Henry to conclude the tour.
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.
(Photo 1 Caption: John Melhorn of the Meigs County FFA chapter accepts his Tennessee FFA State Star Greenhand award sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America.)
(Photo 2 Caption: John Melhorn of the Meigs County FFA chapter presents on his Supervised Agricultural Experience at the Farm Credit Mid-America breakfast in Cookeville, Tennessee, during the Third Annual Tennessee FFA Star Tour.)