Ever since he was a little boy, Thomas Glascock of Pilot Point, Texas, knew he wanted his own herd of cattle. Today, not only does the 21 year old have his own cattle herd, he has been named a 2015 finalist for the American Star Farmer award, one of the most prestigious honors awarded to a student by the National FFA Organization.
For as long as he can remember, Glascock’s life revolved around livestock and agriculture. In 2000, he received his first Red Angus, and she became the foundation of his herd. Today, along with his herd of 90+, he boasts 310 acres of coastal and native grasses to produce the forage needed to satisfy the nutritional demands of his cattle. Throughout high school, he spent hours feeding, inspecting, managing show cattle, hauling hay and processing cattle.
He has participated in a variety of FFA activities at both the local, district, area, state and national levels. In addition to his FFA activities and his SAE, he took on more responsibilities within the Texas Junior Red Angus Association. As he studies production animal science at Tarleton State University, Glascock says that he feels like he is now turning his dream into a reality, one management decision at a time.
Each year at the National FFA Convention & Expo, four FFA members are honored with an American Star Award for outstanding accomplishments in FFA and agricultural education.
The American Star Awards, including the American Star Farmer, American Star in Agribusiness, American Star in Agricultural Placement and American Star in Agriscience, are awarded to FFA members who demonstrate outstanding agricultural skills and competencies through completion of a supervised agricultural experience program. A required activity in FFA, an SAE allows students to learn by doing by either owning and operating an agricultural business, working or serving an internship at an agriculture-based business or conducting an agriculture-based scientific experiment and reporting results.
Other requirements to achieve the award include demonstrating top management skills; completing key agricultural education, scholastic and leadership requirements; and earning an American FFA Degree, the organization’s highest level of student accomplishment.
Sixteen American Star Award finalists from throughout the U.S. are nominated by a panel of judges to interview during the national convention and expo. Four are named winners and receive cash awards totaling $4,000. All American Star finalists receive a $2,000 cash award. The American Star Awards are sponsored by ADM Crop Risk Services, Case IH, Elanco, Farm Credit and Syngenta as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.
Glascock is the son of Randy and Thomas Glascock. He is a member of the Pilot Point FFA Chapter, led by advisors Tammy and Randy Glascock and Casey Brinlee.
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