Josh Murdock (left), Fred Raines, Tessa Weatherly and Blake Berry.
PENDLETON FFA PRESENTS HISTORIC DOCUMENT
TO PENDLETON FARMERS HALL
PENDLETON, SC…The Pendleton FFA Chapter held its National FFA Week Celebration Dinner in the historic Pendleton Farmers Hall recently, according to John W. Parris, state director of public affairs with the SC FFA organization.
The special agricultural education event, attended by FFA members, advisors, parents, school administrators and trustees, FFA alumni, community leaders, Clemson University’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences faculty and staff, along with a State FFA Association official, was presided over by Chapter President Tessa Weatherly. Weatherly explained that they had gathered to “celebrate the great legacy of the FFA and its historical significance in the Pendleton Community.”
Lexington FFA Alumnus Will Amick, a former state FFA officer and a recent National FFA Organization delegate on the first FFA Agricultural Study Tour to the Peoples Republic of China, was the featured speaker. Mr. Amick said he was keenly aware that the FFA has inspired him to reach for the stars in his quest for excellence in life. “As a result of that commitment, I look forward with great anticipation to a successful career in the green industry and serving my state and nation as a proud agriculture leader,” he stated. Amick exhibited slides of this trip to China and shared how that experience had made him realize more than ever what it means to be an American….to live in a land blessed with agriculture abundance and enjoy the many freedoms we too often take for granted.
Other actions at the banquet program included the presentation of an impressive memorial tribute to the late Joe Dobbins, a Pendleton FFA Alumnus, by Pendleton Agricultural Educator and FFA Advisor Josh Murdock. Mr. Dobbins, an active member of the Pendleton High School Agricultural Education Advisory Committee, died recently following a brief illness.
It was announced that the Pendleton High School FFA Alumni Organization had been established and the name of the late Joe Dobbins would be listed on the charter as the first member of the newly formed group. Dr. Tom Dobbins, his twin brother, will assume the role as coordinator of the Alumni chapter.
Blake Berry, Agricultural Educator and FFA advisor at Pendleton High School, along with FFA Chapter President Tessa Weatherly presented a framed copy of the restored Pendleton Future Palmetto Farmer Charter of April 1928 to Pendleton Farmers Society President Fred Raines of Abbeville, SC, to be permanently displayed in the Farmers Hall. The Future Palmetto Farmers organization was the forerunner of the Future Farmers of America which was organized in November 1928 and now known as the National FFA Organization.
The Pendleton FFA officer team includes Tessa Weatherly, president; Troy Dobbins, vice president; Mackenzie Mullikin, secretary; Katelyn McIntyre, treasurer; Olivia Shaffer, reporter; Ryan Boggs, sentinel; and Lindsey Dobbins, historian.
The FFA Celebration dinner was co-sponsored by the Anderson County Farm Bureau, AgSouth Farm Credit, Clemson University’s College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences, John W. Parris and the Pendleton FFA Chapter.