Why National Ag Day Matters: A Look From Mr. Swinford

Mr. Swinford.

National Ag Day is a time to recognize how important agriculture is and to hear from people involved in the industry. In the Rivercrest FFA Chapter in Texas, one of those people is Mr. Kenny Swinford, an agriculture teacher and an FFA advisor.

Mr. Swinford was very active in FFA when he was in high school. He competed on several teams, including chapter conduct, skills, land judging and pasture and range. He was also on the agricultural mechanics team during his junior and senior years. Through all of these experiences, he developed a strong passion for agriculture.

Because of his involvement in FFA and the impact his agriculture teachers had on him, Mr. Swinford decided to become an agriculture teacher himself. Now, he helps students find their own passion in agriculture, just like his teachers did for him.

This year also marks a big milestone for Mr. Swinford, as he is retiring after 32 years of teaching and service in agricultural education. Over those years, he has impacted countless students who have walked through his classroom doors. Even after retirement, his influence on agriculture will continue to live on through his students as they pursue their own paths in the industry.

National Ag Day is important to Mr. Swinford because it helps bring awareness to the agriculture industry. It gives people who may not be involved in agriculture a chance to learn more about where their food and products come from, and how important the industry really is.

Agriculture has been passed down through generations, and Mr. Swinford is proud to be a part of it. His advice to students interested in agriculture is to “stick with it and push through the hard times,” he says. “There are more joys than discomforts in the end.”

National Ag Day reminds us all how important agriculture is to not just those who are involved in it, but to everyone.