Alumnus Richard Brooks awarded Honorary American FFA Degree
Media Contact: Jason Davis, North Carolina FFA coordinator, 919-515-4206 or jason_davis@ncsu.edu
Richard Brooks of Apex recently received the Honorary American FFA Degree during the 58th annual State FFA Land Judging Career Development Event in Robeson County. The award is given to those who advance agricultural education and FFA through outstanding personal commitment.
A dedicated volunteer with a long history of involvement with FFA and the North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Brooks provides technical soil and education services as a soil scientist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Raleigh.
“Richard embodies all that FFA stands for, and he couldn’t be more deserving of this honor,” said Jason Davis, North Carolina FFA coordinator. “As a professional and a volunteer, he has served the organization for years, paving the way for the next generation of agriculturists.”
In 1979, Brooks began his career with the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Soil and Water Conservation as a soil scientist. He later became the Raleigh regional soil specialist from 1993-2001.
In 2001, Brooks became a soil data quality specialist with the NRCS in Raleigh. In 2007, he accepted a position as resource soil scientist in the NRCS Area 3 office, and he is currently responsible for conducting wetland determinations and delineations in 20 southeastern counties.
Brooks earned a 1979 bachelor’s degree in soil conservation from the NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He has been a member of the Soil Science Society of North Carolina since 1978. He is a past president and has been recognized by the society with the Soil Science Society of North Carolina Achievement Award. Brooks also is a three-term president of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Alumni and Friends Society,
The National FFA Organization, formerly known as Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 523,309 student members – all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business, and technology of agriculture – as part of 7,487 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Visit www.ffa.org for more information.
Written by: Suzanne Stanard, 919-513-3126 or suzanne_stanard@ncsu.edu
