Next Gen Ag is a year long series that will run on our In The Field blog, Facebook page, Instagram page and Twitter account. Each Wednesday, we will highlight a young person pursuing a career in the agriculture industry. Individuals can be in high school, college, or recent graduates who are working to establish a career in agriculture. Stay tuned each week to meet some of our industry’s future leaders!
Some people are blessed with a calling on their life that transcends all other industries and careers. For Savannah Adams of Four Oaks, agriculture was that calling. Growing up on her family hobby farm, Savannah began working with livestock at a young age and hasn’t looked back since.
Savannah’s family owns and operates what many people may call a hobby farm, meaning that each person has a full-time job in another industry, but together they also farm for themselves, friends and family members. Before Savannah was born, her uncle started a swine farm in Four Oaks. In her childhood years, Savannah and her family would not only spend days and weekends throughout the year on the farm when needed, but also each December the entire family would come together to process the animals. “From the time I was four years old, I’ve loved agriculture and known that this is where I wanted to spend my career,” she said. “Every December, my family and I would go and spend the very last week of the year helping my uncle process hogs on the farm. We would set up an assembly line and each have a different job. I was always the sausage grinder.” Working alongside her entire family and producing a product that they all love and enjoy, instilled a passion in Savannah that would guide her life’s journey. “We love raising and processing hogs as a family because we see and know what goes into the food we enjoy,” she said. “It not only taught me all about the circle of life, but also how important our agriculture industry is.” As soon as Savannah reached middle school age, she jumped headfirst into her school’s FFA program to deepen her agricultural knowledge.
In her younger years, Savannah heard many stories about FFA and the incredible experiences that they offer. Her dad, J.P., was very involved in FFA in both his middle and high school years, so he always encouraged his daughter to join. At the start of her sixth-grade year, Savannah finally got the chance to join her schools FFA program and she served with them all the way through her Senior year of high school. “After all the stories my dad told me, I couldn’t wait to join FFA,” Savannah said. “Not only has it helped me build leadership skills, but it’s also introduced me to a variety of people across the industry, given me hands-on experience in animal science, and more. I have loved every minute of my time in FFA, so much so, that I plan to join collegiate FFA in the fall.”
This past June, Savannah graduated from South Johnston High School. In addition to her high school diploma, she also graduated with a Certified Veterinarian Assistant license thanks to a unique one-year program offered through her school. “This program was really beneficial for me because it not only taught me skills to exit high school as a Certified Veterinarian Assistant, but it also provided me with an internship at the WillowRun Veterinary Hospital,” she said. “While there, I learned many valuable skills, such as grooming, that will help me in my future career.” This fall, Savannah will begin taking her core college classes at Johnston Community College before transferring to N.C. State University where she plans to get a Master’s Degree in Animal Science, along with her Degree of Veterinary Medicine for Livestock. “Spending my first two years in Johnston County will be really good for me because it will allow me to intern on a local beef cattle operation for two summers,” she said. “I am looking forward to gaining more hands-on experience to coincide with my classroom education and better prepare me for my classes at N.C. State.”
After college, Savannah hopes to work on-site at a farm as a full-time veterinarian. “I would love to spend my career on the farm as a livestock vet,” she said. “If I could network with about 2-4 farms within the same county to rotate back and forth, that would be even better. Working on-site at a farm will allow me to build relationships with both the farmers and the animals, as well as monitor the day-to-day health of each animal.” With a heart in the livestock industry, a passion for animals and agriculture, dedication and perseverance to get the job done, strong communication skills, and a fresh new perspective on medicine across the industry, Savannah will be a top candidate for anyone seeking a livestock veterinarian in future years! “Agriculture builds our community and brings people together,” she said. “To know that I will have a hand in that every single day, fills me with both excitement and pride. Agriculture gives everyone purpose, so I am excited to find my place, purpose and potential in this industry.”
Although she loves nearly every aspect of the agriculture industry, Savannah’s favorite part is the atmosphere of family and community. “This industry truly functions as one big family,” she said. “You gain more opportunities through connections, and everyone across this industry is willing to help you reach your goals. We all come together around agriculture and take pride in the fact that we aren’t just impacting the animals or the people within the agriculture industry, but we are impacting the entire world through the products that we produce.” In addition to the community, Savannah also loves spending time with the animals on the farm and learning how to care for their individualized needs.
If you or someone you know is interested in an agricultural career, Savannah encourages you to be open, honest and make as many connections as you can. “If you want to be in the agriculture industry, tell as many people as you possibly can and seek mentors,” she said. “People here will give you advice and point you in the right direction. Have confidence in yourself and your abilities, but also be willing to accept advice and correction. The reward of being in this industry will far outweigh any challenge you might face.” We are so proud of all that Savannah is doing to pursue a career in the livestock industry and can’t wait to see where the future will take her!
