NEWTON GROVE — Hobbton High School senior Pelmon Hudson was recognized at the 88th North Carolina State FFA Convention for his first place award in the Diversified Crop Production Entrepreneurship Proficiency Award area. A proficiency award is an application designed for active FFA members to receive recognition for an outstanding performance in a career field and is designed to showcase a student’s career skills, accomplishments in that career field, and their resume’. Proficiency awards are sponsored and conducted through the National FFA Organization and the North Carolina State FFA Association.

“My Supervised Agricultural Experience project gave me valuable experience in running a small agricultural operation” says Hudson. “I love the challenges that come with running a business of my own. The hardest part is keeping business records while tending five acres of peanuts and/or sweet potatoes over the past three years on my own. “

Hudson used his record keeping skills and growing business savvy to accurately fill out the required paperwork, submit quality photographs, and earn himself the top recognition in the state for his outstanding business. He was honored on June 21st, 2016 at the NC FFA Proficiency Award Banquet. Hudson won a plaque, a monetary reward, and the distinction to represent the state of North Carolina competing at the nation level in October of this year.

He added that he plans on continuing on his current path of agribusiness. “After graduation I plan to attend NC State University and major in Agricultural Business Management, return to work on the family farm, and hopefully one day run the family business with my brother and family.” Pelmon is the son of Jart and Cece Hudson of Turkey, NC.

Also recognized at the state level from the Hobbton FFA Chapter for top three finishes in their respective categories were Tori Johnson in the field of Outdoor Recreation, Placement; Curtis Gautier in the field of Agricultural Mechanics, Repair and Maintenance, Placement; Alex Askew in the field of Equine Science, Placement.

Speaking of the Hobbton FFA chapter and the meaning of FFA, Pelmon remarked, “The FFA has given me knowledge in a wide variety of agricultural areas, as well as leadership skills that I would not possess should I have not participated in any FFA activities. I owe a portion of my abilities, my aspirations, and my love for agriculture to my FFA experience.” The Hobbton FFA Chapter is comprised of 218 FFA members and is advised by Johnny Jessup and Ray Scott Spence II. The National FFA Organization’s Mission is, “The FFA strives to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for Premier Leadership, Personal Growth, and Career Success through agricultural education.”

Pictured, from left, are Hobbton FFA students Alex Askew, Pelmon Hudson, Tori Johnson and Curtis Gautier. (Courtesy photo)
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Hobbton-FFA.jpgPictured, from left, are Hobbton FFA students Alex Askew, Pelmon Hudson, Tori Johnson and Curtis Gautier. (Courtesy photo)

By Ty Meyer

Hobbton FFA