Ann Thomas Lowery and John Hancock serve on State 4-H Council and as FFA State Officers
Tennessee 4-H and FFA nurture young members to become strong, compassionate leaders prepared for future careers. Both Ann Thomas Lowery and John Hancock, who have been involved in both organizations since they were in grade school, were recently elected to FFA State Office.
It is an accomplishment to receive one of these honors, but few have held the prestigious roles at once.
Ann Thomas Lowery and John Hancock serve on State 4-H Council and as FFA State Officers
“A state officer in FFA is not only an ambassador for the association, but an ambassador for the industry that feeds, clothes and fuels our world,” says Lowery, FFA West Tennessee State Vice President and 4-H Vice President until her retirement at Roundup. “As an FFA member who loves, understands and has a deep passion for agriculture, it is my mission as a State Officer to lead with a heart full of service, advocacy and confidence.”
4-H and FFA Go Hand-in-Hand
FFA educates youth for future careers, leadership opportunities and personal growth. Through agriculture, they practice intrapersonal skills, learn about managing resources, build character and more, their motto being, “Learning to do, Doing to learn, Earning to live, Living to serve.”
4-H uses hands-on learning programs to develop skills for members to grow and become successful. They have after-school programs, conferences, camps and more for members to be involved in. Their motto and slogan go hand in hand: “To make the best better,” and “Learn by doing.”
The organizations complement each other well and together create a well-rounded young leader. Many members like Lowery and Hancock are involved in both organizations.
“My 4-H project area aligns perfectly with my Supervised Agricultural Experience and proficiency area in FFA,” says Lowery, who shows pigs, market lambs and market goats. “Being involved in each organization on a competitive level has truly made a difference in my success as a competitor and as a well-rounded individual.”
A Dyersburg FFA member and Dyer County 4-H’er, Lowery is also involved in judging, competitions, public speaking and much more in both organizations. In FFA, she participates in Parliamentary Procedure, Floriculture and other committees and conventions.
Green Blazers & Blue Jackets
“As a State Officer in both 4-H and FFA, I hope to make an impact on members across our state and build relationships that will continue to impact our organizations in the future,” says Hancock, current FFA secretary and 4-H secretary until his retirement at Roundup. “The best parts about these organizations are the unique communities of youth working to grow as leaders and explore their interests.”
Hancock participates in competitions, judging, speaking and more, but his project in 4-H is centered around poultry and horticulture. He cares for 200 chickens and over 2 acres of gardens.
“Being involved in both organizations, I was able to gain the basic life and leadership skills that 4-H provides from a very young age, allowing me to begin FFA as a strong leader,” says Hancock, a Wilson County 4-H’er and Lebanon FFA member. “I found a deep-rooted passion for agriculture and began to explore the variety of skills and topics in the agriculture industry so that I am prepared to lead the industry in the future.”
Years of Service
While Lowery and Hancock prepare to hand over their green blazers to the new State Council at Tennessee 4-H Roundup, they will continue wearing their blue jackets to lead and learn. With the excitement of all to come, they plan to take what they have learned from 4-H into their new positions in the FFA State Office.
“The most important thing I have learned in 4-H that I will take into my new position is the importance of authenticity,” Lowery says. “A value that 4-H has instilled in me is staying true to who I am and being proud of the agricultural background that I was raised in.”
