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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

Kaleb Taylor, Chilton County High School alumnus, has received his American FFA Degree.

The degree is the highest honor the organization awards to its members.

“The recipient has displayed a true commitment to engagement in their perspective high school agriscience program and FFA chapter,” Marlon Harton, CCHS FFA advisor, said.  “FFA Degree builds a sense of accomplishment and highlights the active participation of an FFA member; promoting a continuation of excellence, leadership and community involvement. Kaleb’s continuation of hard work and dedication is rewarded with this esteemed American FFA Degree.”

Taylor joined CCHS FFA when he was a freshman in high school.

“I have always been interested in agriculture,” Taylor said.

Taylor continued his FFA work through his senior year, which is when he decided he wanted to apply for the FFA Degree. Taylor said Harton encouraged him to apply for the degree.  However, he did not apply for it until March 2020. FFA gives students a couple of years after high school to apply for the honor.

The application required a report of his FFA activities both as a part of his high school’s chapter and his independent work. There is also a community service requirement.

Taylor said for his supervised agricultural experience as an individual, he worked for a landscaping company and in greenhouses.

These experiences were some of the things he enjoyed most about FFA.

He also enjoyed competing.

“I participate in … forestry competition, agricultural mechanic competitions, land judging competitions,” Taylor said.

As a senior, Taylor served as the president of the CCHS FFA chapter.

“I really enjoyed being able to work with all of the members at Chilton County High School,” Taylor said.

Taylor is now a junior at Mississippi State University working on his bachelor’s degree in agricultural education to become an ag teacher.

“I would definitely say Coach Harton was the main inspiration for me to become an ag teacher,” Taylor said.

Being in FFA helped him develop communication skills and a base knowledge going into his degree, Taylor said.

“It definitely made college easier,” Taylor said.