FFA students don’t slow down when summer arrives. Many spend their break completing Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects, putting classroom lessons into practice in real-world settings.

YourAgEdge invited local agriculture advisers to nominate two students for an SAE spotlight series. Today’s feature highlights a standout from Hopkins County: Gracie Grimes.

Grimes’ SAE focuses on beef and show cattle. With the help of a $10,000 USDA grant, she purchased a cow/calf pair to begin building her herd. She tends to her animals daily, feeding, watering, and providing care alongside two donkeys that help protect the cattle.

In addition to her USDA funding, Grimes has secured other grants through FFA, including $500 for a cattle blow dryer. She says the most important part of her SAE is showing other students that opportunities and support exist to help them succeed.

At county fairs, Grimes brings hay and show feed for her animals and bathes them before each show. At the State Fair, she has to take on more responsibility to ensure she has everything for the week. This year she showed one of her heifers. Her hard work paid off — she placed first in the FFA division and open class and also earned reserve champion in both categories. 

FFA has always been close to home for Grimes. Her uncle served as an FFA adviser, and she grew up knowing the organization would be part of her life. Today, she serves as chapter vice president.

“I always knew I was going to join FFA and be a part of FFA,” Grimes said.

Grimes is just one of many FFA students to prove the worth of learning responsibility through an SAE. 

Listen to the full interview here: