COOKEVILLE, TN—Clay Prater of the Warren County Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter is Tennessee FFA’s 2015 Star Farmer. The Star Farmer is considered the highest recognition in the state for an aspiring young farmer, and is awarded to the top student who best demonstrates achievement in production agriculture and career and leadership development. His supervised agricultural experience (SAE) project is swine production.
Clay is the sixth generation on his family’s swine operation. He and his family raise Chester Whites and Exotic crosses and strive to raise competitive show pigs at a reasonable price. Clay was an active FFA member throughout his high school career. He helped teach the livestock judging team and also helped fellow members in the show ring.
Clay is the son of Kelly and Leah Prater. He plans on attending the University of Tennessee in Knoxville majoring in Animal Science with hopes to become a feed sales representative and stay involved in the show stock industry.
For his achievement, Clay was honored last month during the weeklong Inaugural Tennessee FFA Star Tour presented by Farm Credit Mid-America. The trip was centered on Tennessee agriculture; students got a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit agribusinesses, meet key industry leaders and showcase their superior projects.
The tour began in Doyle at Camp Clements FFA Leadership Training Camp where Farm Credit Mid-America presented each of the Stars with $1,000 scholarships. The tour included a visit to the Cookeville office of Farm Credit Mid-America, dinner with the Commissioner of Agriculture and staff at Ellington Agricultural Center, and a breakfast program at First Farmers & Merchants Bank in Columbia. The Stars also visited Krone, Thompson Machinery and Tosh Farms in West Tennessee. The tour ended with a night of “Underwater Bowling” and celebration at the new Bass Pro Pyramid in Memphis.
Since this award is the highest honor a young agriculturalist can pursue in this organization, a special Star Farmer Reception was held at Warren County High School in honor of Clay. The reception was attended by Clay’s family members, fellow FFA members and advisors and several county officials. It was an opportunity for the Warren County community to celebrate their Star Farmer.
Clay was named the Tennessee FFA Star Farmer in March at the Tennessee FFA State Convention in Gatlinburg. Having received his State FFA Degree, Clay is now eligible to earn his American FFA Degree and represent Tennessee in the competition to become the National Star Farmer. Likewise, Tennessee will have a Star in Agribusiness, Star in Agricultural Placement and Star in Agriscience candidate.
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 610,240 FFA members, aged 12-21. The Tennessee FFA Association is comprised of more than 13,000 members from 214 high school chapters, seven middle school chapters, and eight collegiate chapters across the state of Tennessee.
Photo caption (1): As the Tennessee FFA Star Farmer, Clay Prater of the Warren County FFA chapter speaks to a group of agriculturalists about himself and his farm operation during the Inaugural Tennessee FFA Star Tour presented by Farm Credit Mid-America.
Photo caption (2): Clay Prater and guests pose for a picture at the Star Farmer Reception at Warren County High School during the Inaugural Tennessee FFA Star Tour presented by Farm Credit Mid-America.