Tennessee FSA Receives Distinguished Service Award from FFA

By: Murray Dale Watts

The Future Farmers of America (FFA) bestowed their “Distinguished Service Award” on the Farm Service Agency (FSA) at the Tennessee FFA 81st Annual Convention in Gatlinburg earlier this month. The Distinguished Service Award is the highest award bestowed by FFA at the state level.

The Farm Service Agency was honored with the award for their support of FFA’s Stars in Agriculture Program and for assisting in award presentations each year. FFA also commended FSA’s support of FFA chapters across the state, as well as for helping FFA members in obtaining youth loans for financing their Student Agricultural Enterprises (SAEs) and other projects.

Tennessee FSA’s Communication and Outreach Coordinator Regan Soloman and Farm Loan Manager Linda Barnes attended the conference this year and addressed the crowd of more than 2,800 on FSA’s mission, specific loans and programs, and continued support for agriculture education. The two FSA staff members took advantage of five separate opportunities to address the full general assembly at the convention and spoke one-on-one with FFA members about youth loans, farm programs, and the 2008 Farm Bill.

Regan Soloman accepts the FFA Distinguished Service Award on behalf of the Farm Service Agency at the 81st Annual Tennessee FFA Convention in Gatlinburg.