Nathan and Linda Moore were recently recognized at the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo as 10-year milestone donors.

“I can easily tell you that there’s not a program out there anywhere that surpasses FFA,” said Nathan Moore.

Moore had a modest background growing up in East Prairie, Mo. He spent four years as a member of the East Prairie FFA Chapter and, as one of seven children, Moore worked all through secondary school to help his family.

Curtis Moody, the East Prairie FFA advisor, was a significant inspiration, such that Moore even went on to major in agricultural education at the University of Missouri.

“Mr. Moody cared for his students, and I could easily see that,” Moore said.

After college, Moore and his wife, Linda (an English teacher), settled, bought a farm and planned to spend their lives teaching in Missouri. But, in 1972, after Moore had surgery to repair a congenital heart defect, doctors recommended that he move to an area with a drier climate.

In 1973, they relocated to Mesa, Ariz., and Moore became the agriculture teacher and FFA advisor for Westwood FFA. Over the years, he never forgot the lessons he learned from Moody.

“I just wanted to contribute as much as possible to help students become successful,” Moore said.

His students included Elin Miller, the 1979-80 National FFA Vice President, who went on to have a successful executive career in agriculture.

Additionally, his FFA members included a National FFA Star in Agribusiness; 22 American FFA Degree recipients; 16 Arizona FFA officers; and 69 Arizona FFA Degree awardees. Moore guided champion dairy teams in Arizona, and his students competed at the national level in forestry, agricultural mechanics, and poultry, among others.

“When students participate in those career and leadership development events,” Moore said, “even if they don’t win, they learn an extensive amount of life skills that they can use anywhere in their lives.”

That’s a major reason why Nathan and Linda Moore have been supporting the National FFA Foundation for the past 10 years.

“We give because it makes a difference,” he said.

The Moores also donate to their local chapter — still the Westwood FFA in Mesa — a tradition they have continued since their retirement. They provide funds to support the greatest needs as determined by the advisors.

He also continues to volunteer each year at the national convention as a judge in the forestry career development event.