Dr. Art Parham has been awarded the highest degree in national FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America) for his dedication to students in California State University, Fresno’s Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology.
The Honorary American FFA Degree honors individuals who advance agriculture education and the FFA through outstanding personal commitment. Parham will be recognized at the Oct. 20-23 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.
Parham is a Fresno State alumnus who earned master and doctoral degrees from the University of Wyoming and joined the Fresno State faculty in 1985. He chairs the Department of Animal Science and Agriculture Education within the Jordan College.
Parham has been an adviser for the California FFA Leadership Conference Committee since 1995 and the State FFA Field Day Committee since 1982.
Access to state and national FFA activities were limited when Parham was in high school and he was never able to participate, he said, as he prepared for just his second national convention.
“The FFA Organization is the most productive youth leadership program ever invented for the secondary level. It’s an honor to be presented this award,” said Parham.
Parham, who was nominated by the State FFA Association is the only Californian among the 149 individuals receiving of the Honorary American Degree this year.
FFA has more than a half-million members nationwide and is dedicated to utilizing agriculture education to enhance the lives of youth through leadership, personal growth and career success.
(Copy prepared by University Communications agriculture-news intern Sadie Thomas)
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