John Michael Scott would say his FFA career started by chance. It was the first day of freshman year, and he had an empty spot in his schedule. His counselor showed him the only option available: Agriscience Applications. Little did he know, this small change to his schedule would catapult him into a rewarding experience in FFA that would last way beyond his high school years. 

As an FFA member, Scott developed his passion for agriculture by participating in various competitions and serving as an officer at the chapter, federation and regional levels. These experiences helped sharpen his skills in communication, teamwork and critical thinking — skills that would later define his professional success. FFA provided the stage where he learned to lead with integrity and confidence. Scott did not come from a traditional agriculture background, which made his journey in FFA and agricultural education even more special.

“We are seeing more and more professionals in the agriculture industry today that did not come from an agricultural background,” Scott says. “I want to be able to support and encourage those individuals by showing them that it is possible to be successful in our industry.”

After high school, Scott continued his education in North Carolina State University’s Agriculture Institute, where he earned degrees in agribusiness management, field crops technology and general agriculture. During his time at NC State, Scott was actively involved in the AGI Ambassadors program and the Collegiate FFA program.

Then, in 2023, Scott graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Agribusiness from the University of Mount Olive. He is currently attending the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he’s working toward his master’s degree in agricultural communications and leadership — an area that perfectly blends his passion for agriculture with his talent for connecting people and ideas.

Day to day, Scott works at Ag South Farm Credit as a lender, where he manages a portfolio of loans exceeding $30 million. Ag South is a  part of the Nationwide Farm Credit System, and its mission is to support rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services today and tomorrow. Scott’s professional career reflects the same dedication and excellence cultivated through FFA. 

Despite a demanding career and graduate studies, Scott remains deeply committed to giving back. “I give back and stay involved because I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for the people who invested and believed in me,” he says. He wants to be that person for future young leaders.

Scott currently serves as the chairman of the NC State Agriculture Institute Advisory Board, and is a member of the Alamance County 4-H Advisory Board and Southern Alamance FFA Alumni Boosters organization. He also devotes his time to volunteering at the state and national levels by judging FFA career and leadership development events. Scott says that he enjoys judging career development events because these competitions shaped his passion for agriculture when he was in FFA. “I remember being in those FFA members’ shoes in front of judges and want to help guide them to the next level,” he adds. 

Scott’s leadership and service have not gone unnoticed. In 2024, he was awarded the Outstanding Young Alumni for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, which is part of the Agricultural Institute at NC State. Additionally, in 2025, he received the North Carolina FFA Honorary State FFA Degree, which is the highest honorary degree that can be awarded by the state association, and it is presented at the state convention. Only 12 non-teacher individuals from North Carolina can be awarded the Honorary State FFA Degree each year, and it recognizes individuals who have rendered outstanding service to the North Carolina FFA Association.

Most recently, Scott was awarded the Outstanding Young Alumni Award for NC State. This goes to an alumnus who graduated within the last 10 years and has made outstanding contributions to their community, to NC State and to their profession. Scott received this award from among approximately 60,000 or more eligible candidates. 

From wearing the blue jacket as a freshman to shaping agricultural education and advocacy as an alumnus, Scott embodies the mission of FFA: developing premier leadership, personal growth and career success. His journey is a powerful reminder that FFA does not end at graduation — it evolves into a lifetime of service, leadership and impact.