Professor to receive FFA's highest award in agricultural education

By Martha Martinez

After nearly a decade of being the Fresno State coordinator for the Future Farmers of America conference, professor and agricultural operations director Carl Pherson will be awarded the Honorary American FFA Degree.

Pherson does not plan to attend the national conference in Kentucky on Oct. 29 to accept his award.

FFA is a national youth organization that develops leadership potential through agricultural education. Only students can be members of the organization. The honorary degree is the highest honor a non-member of the FFA can achieve. The award is given based on the interaction and support for FFA.

“It is because of this outstanding contribution that the State FFA offices nominated Dr. Pherson for the Honorary American FFA degree and why the national FFA board of directors has deemed him worthy of this high honor,” said Charles Parker, assistant state FFA adviser, in an Oct. 4 press release.

Pherson supervises a conference group of 20 Fresno State students and faculty volunteers. He also coordinates a field day at Fresno State. The field day involves competitive events such as judging livestock and fixing engines.

“(Field day) is a recruitment opportunity for us,” Pherson said.

Pherson was a freshman in high school when he became a member of the FFA. He went on to win a public speaking contest in college put on by the FFA.

“FFA introduced me to things I like to do. I’m very willing to give back to it,” Pherson said.

Pherson first became involved in organizing the committee by assignment, which he “readily accepted.”

“There’s nothing more honorable than feeding and clothing people,” he said about agricultural education.

Pherson plans to retire from Fresno State after this academic year.

He wants to travel and do volunteer work.