For Bailey Wilson, agriculture holds a special meaning. And though the Pilot Point, Texas resident fondly recalls life on the farm, he knows all too well the hard and meaningful work to be done if it’s to be a successful operation.
“So many experiences as a young child sparked my interest in agriculture — the most exciting industry I know,” Wilson says.
His enthusiasm for the industry continued throughout his involvement in FFA and his supervised agricultural experience (SAE), tending and training horses at Rutledge Farms and Ranch.
Growing up in a family with strong roots in agriculture, Wilson had a broad and somewhat diverse knowledge of general agricultural practices and learned firsthand the skills necessary in production agriculture. But in addition to his hands-on experience, Wilson is grateful for the agriscience classes and FFA competitions. They provided an outlet for him to further expand his knowledge base of animal science and production agriculture.
Now a student manager at the Meat Lab at Tarleton State University, he helps with the harvest and production of meat products. Thanks to his time spent at the meat lab, he can now identify cuts of meat, and preferred cooking methods so he can also assist customers.
His dedication to his SAEs has earned him the honor of being named a 2017 finalist for the America Star in Agricultural Placement.
Wilson attributes his success in his SAE to his involvement in FFA. “FFA has helped me build a lot of confidence in myself,” Wilson says. “When I first started in FFA I couldn’t talk in front of a lot of people.”
His advice to others is easy to follow: Keep an open mind and don’t be afraid to work hard. While success takes a lot of hard work, it’s very rewarding if you put in the time and effort.
Wilson’s enthusiasm for agriculture remains strong, and he plans to pursue a master’s degree in animal science and seek a career in animal nutrition.
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