The Missouri FFA Association named Ted Sheppard, Cabool; and Vicki Smith, Gainesville; Honorary State FFA Degree recipients.
Ted Sheppard
Sheppard is a full-time dairy and beef farmer, and for the last 10 years, served as a Missouri State Fair Commissioner. On the commission, he served on the Missouri Youth in Agriculture Committee and as Competition Committee chairman.
Sheppard is a past president of the Tri-County Fair Board and Texas County Fair Board. He was on the Intercounty Electric Cooperative Board of Directors Livestock Committee, which has purchased numerous FFA members livestock projects. He also served as the Missouri Dairy Association president.
Sheppard is a member of the Cabool Friends of the FFA. On his familys farm, he hosted several dairy cattle judging events. In high school, he was a member of the Mountain Grove FFA Chapter and received the State FFA Degree.
Vicki Smith
Smith is a retired teacher in the Gainesville R-V School District, where her husband taught agricultural education.
For 42 years, Smith was involved with the Missouri FFA Parliamentary Procedure Leadership Development Event. She served as a judge for the district, state and national events. She administered and graded tests for the district and state. Smith also volunteered as a chaperone for numerous trips, conventions and State FFA Leadership Camp.
Smith said she is grateful to the Missouri FFA Association for this honor.
FFA
The Missouri FFA Association recognizes Honorary State FFA Degree recipients for their valuable efforts and contributions to the FFA organization and its members. Those eligible to receive the Honorary FFA Degree include farmers, school superintendents, principals, members of the board of education, chapter advisors, teachers, staff members in agricultural education, business professionals and others who are helping to advance agricultural education and the FFA.
The Missouri FFA has 25,945 members representing 348 chapters. The national organization has more than 700,000 members representing 8,612 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The 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.
