Janet Perry has been an FFA advisor in the state of Maine since 1998, when she reinstated the Ashland FFA Chapter. During her time as an advisor, she has helped many of her students become state officers, State FFA Degree recipients, National FFA Agricultural Proficiency Award recipients and has attended many National FFA Conventions & Expos.
In the process, Perry has created a lasting legacy for herself — one which any student of hers will remember.
Beginnings
Perry became involved in agriculture from an early age. Originally from New Jersey, she attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst and graduated with a degree in animal science. She also received teaching courses, where she taught at Norfolk County Agricultural School (also known as “Norfolk Aggie”).
During her time at Norfolk Aggie, Perry taught an equine and canine science course, which provided hands-on experience working with horses and dogs to her students. She also gained many insights into the National FFA Organization by learning from the FFA advisor there.
After her time at Norfolk Aggie, Perry and her husband moved to northern Maine in 1979. While her husband worked a forestry job, she raised a family and a sheep farm. Once coyotes began to come into their area, however, Perry decided to go back to teaching.
She also received her life and physical science teaching certificate as well as a production agriculture teaching certificate during her time in Maine. With her qualifications, Perry began teaching at Ashland District School in 1991. At that time, Ashland didn’t have a FFA chapter and hadn’t had one since the 1970s. Perry knew FFA would be a positive experience for any students, so she worked to restart the chapter. Since then, the Ashland FFA Chapter has grown into a great experience for many students.
FFA Chapter Advisor
As an advisor, Perry has helped seven of her students to become Maine FFA state officers, with some of them holding a position for multiple years. She also estimated that 30 or more members of the Ashland FFA Chapter have received their State FFA Degree while she has been the advisor, and about 60 members have received National FFA Agricultural Proficiency Awards.
Her hard work and passion for FFA has not gone unnoticed. At the 2024 Maine State FFA Convention, Perry was named the Maine FFA Chapter Advisor of the Year for 2023-24.
Impact Throughout the Years
Perry has advised many FFA members in Ashland throughout the years, and she’s not done yet. She has a passion for agriculture and teaching, which makes her job as an FFA advisor perfect for her.
Her appreciation for anything agriculture-focused has greatly improved the FFA experience for many Ashland FFA members. Perry has brought students to many places such as farms, mill tours, museums, caves, colleges, aquariums, zoos and more.
When asked why she believes FFA is an important organization for students, Perry said, “Either as preparation for an agricultural career or learning valuable skills for any career, FFA experiences are the best!”
