In Dallas, at the 85^th annual Texas FFA state convention, Tarleton State University professor Dr. Ted Ford received the Honorary Lone Star FFA Degree.

“I started as a freshman in high school as a FFA member in leadership and development events and some career development events and we had what I thought at the time was a very good FFA program and like I said, I participated in it a lot and things. Then I came to Tarleton and wanted to be an ag teacher because of my ag teacher in high school and ultimately continued in that track and kind of grew into it with my positive experiences which lead me to continue,” Ford said.

Ford, who is an associate professor of agriculture at Tarleton, is involved in the state FFA Career Development Events committee, as well as working with the state and area FFA contests.

“It is the highest degree or award that the Texas FFA can give. They give various numbers a year, the 95,000 student organization gives 50 to 100 a year or something like that, so it’s a significant award, they don’t just pass it out by the hundreds and as I understand the procedure, each area selects some people from their area as possible honorees, then Texas FFA tries to select the people who have had a fairly broad impact, not just at the local level, but a broader statewide level. So I was very fortunate that Area 8 submitted my name and I was selected this year. I’m very honored. I think it’s a significant honor,” said Ford.

He continued to say, “it is typically reserved for those people who have made a significant impact on the Texas FFA sometimes that’s contribution of thousands of dollars, which wasn’t my case, sometimes it’s mostly in service kinds of things, where they provided extended periods or significant service to Texas FFA.”

“I never set out for it, I never really thought a whole lot about it, until I got the letter from Texas FFA saying that I was going to be recognized this year and then it kind of hit me after the fact that this is pretty nice, I’m really proud of this award and this honor. So it took a really special meaning after I learned I was going to receive it, but it wasn’t something I did the contest for just so I could chalk up points to get the Lone Star.”