Ontario’s Henry Garrett wins highest achievable FFA degree
By Logan Bagett on Wednesday, December 11th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
ONTARIO/WALLA WALLA — An Ontario resident has been awarded the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization. Henry Garrett, who attends Walla Walla Community College, has received the American Future Farmers of America Degree. Garrett, whi is 19 now, has been involved in FFA since he was in middle school. Read the full press release from WWCC below:
(Press Release from Walla Walla Community College)
Walla Walla Community College congratulates Henry Garrett, a second-year student, who recently received the American Future Farmers of America (FFA) Degree.
Garrett, who lives in Ontario, Oregon, was recognized with a select group of students nationwide who have demonstrated their dedication to the FFA organization and shown outstanding achievement in agricultural business, production, processing or service programs.
To earn the degree, recipients must have been FFA members for at least three years, completed three high school agricultural classes or two years of high school and one year of college agricultural classes. Other requirements include community service activities, proven leadership skills and a grade point average of “C” or better.
“It’s a privilege to have Henry Garrett at WWCC,” said Matthew Bishop, Director of the John Deere and Transportation Traces programs at WWCC. “Agriculture remains a critical component or our region’s economy, and Henry Garrett is a great example of the potential of the industry’s future leaders.”
Garrett, 19, has been involved in FFA since middle school. When he was a high school sophomore and junior, he won first place in a John Deere tractor driving competitions in his hometown.
He enrolled in the John Deere Technology Program at WWCC after finishing high school in 2023. He studied diesel mechanics and other subjects this past fall. He returned to Ontario for the winter quarter to gain more on-the-job experience at his hometown John Deere dealership.
“I love the campus. It’s super beautiful,” Garrett said. “It’s great to be able to get hands-on work experience and my associate’s degree at the same time.”
Garrett is on track to graduate WWCC in 2025. He plans to return to the Ontario John Deere dealership, he says, to “show off the skills he’s learned at WWCC.”
For more information about WWCC and the John Deere Technology Program see wwcc.edu/john-deere-technology or contact Matt Bishop at: matthew.bishop@wwcc.edu.
