Who knew a middle-school elective could lead to passion for agriculture for high school student

Shelby Langford working with one of her hogs. -Photo courtesy of Shelby Langford

By Megan Winslow

Shelby Langford never imagined agriculture would become the heartbeat of her teenage years.

 It all began with a middle school elective – “Agricultural Foundations” -- a class she chose, but with few expectations. What started as a routine course cracked open a world that would soon ignite her spirit.

     “We learned about climate change. I was already familiar with a lot of that stuff,” said the soon-to-be 16-year-old.

     As she matriculated from middle school to high school, agriculture evolved from a passing interest to a full-blown passion.

     She started cooking for herself and grew food in her garden at home.

     Her curiosity deepened to commitment when, before officially enrolling at Gaither High School in Tampa, she volunteered with the school’s agriculture department. The summer before she started high school, Shelby volunteered to show the school’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter pig.

     From early mornings at the barn to late-night feedings, she gave her all to raising a pig and learning about swine care and behavior.

     “That experience lit a fire in her — a deep desire to continue learning and growing within the agricultural world, especially within the swine industry,” said her mother, Marisa Langford.

     In March, Shelby was accepted into the Florida 4-H “Hog & Ham” program, part of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Hog & Ham takes selected participants through the process of pork production and teaches food security.

     This month, she went to the main UF campus in Gainesville to learn about meat production.

    Hog & Ham, 4-H, FFA, fairs – they’re all part of a journey filled with “opportunities,” which seems to be one of Shelby’s favorite words.

     “It’s cool learning about all the different opportunities that agriculture has to offer,” she said, citing, among other things, Ag Day on the Hill, where FFA members go to the state Capitol. “You learn about all the cool things you can do if you pursue agriculture, including lobbying legislators.”

     Over the past two years, Shelby has taken advantage of opportunities offered through UF/IFAS Extension programs.

     She’s attended meat science and livestock judging clinics, interacted with UF/IFAS faculty and explored the depth and diversity of Florida’s agricultural industry.

     Whitney Elmore, director of UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County, praised Shelby for how she sets an example for others.

     “4-H participants (and their families) work very hard on their projects, putting a significant amount of time, money and energy into learning by doing,” Elmore said. “Shelby exemplifies the core values of 4-H: head, hearts, hands, health.”

Moving forward

     It’s not always easy participating in 4-H and FFA, but it’s well worth the effort, Shelby said. The biggest challenge is “getting started.”

     “You have to navigate things on your own,” she said. “There’s a lot of pre-planning that goes into everything. It helps you with time management. You have to find opportunities. Some are a little more hidden than others.”

     The coolest parts?

     You get to participate in so many events, she said. You can show livestock. She cited “Hog & Ham” program as “probably the best thing I’ll be able to do.”